Chapter 9: The Royal Palace

Next afternoon, Alexandria, Egypt

During the mid-20th century, Alexandria had a diverse population consisting of a sizable Greek community, along with significant Jewish, French, and Italian minorities. However, in the 1950s, many of these groups left Egypt, resulting in their diminished presence. The Historic Centre of Alexandria encompassed the Western and Eastern harbors, separated by a promontory where the Mameluke Fortress, now serving as a museum, stood. Adjacent to the fortress was a renowned Pharaonic site and a 19th-century royal palace that remained off-limits to the public.

This was the destination of our adventurers, particularly accessible to the Lux Veritatis, despite being closed to the general public. The secret hideout of the Lux Veritatis in Egypt was located within this royal palace, serving as yet another stronghold. Lara gazed at the palace with a wide smile, finally having the opportunity to enter without resorting to breaking in.

"It's breathtaking," she exclaimed, her eyes turning to Kurtis.

"Welcome, Lara, to the Royal Palace of the Lux Veritatis," Kurtis greeted her.

Elizabeth looked up at the building with a melancholic smile. "This is one of the safest strongholds our order possesses."

Lara furrowed her brow. "What makes it so safe?"

"It possesses a power capable of killing Karel and anyone affiliated with him should they set foot inside," Elizabeth explained.

"The first member of our order, Karel's sister, placed a protective spell on this place. It serves as a sanctuary for the weak and ailing, allowing them to heal without fear of their enemies. It offers safety and preparation for the upcoming battles," Elizabeth continued.

"What was her name?" Lara inquired, her mind echoing Marten's words. He had mentioned the lost sister of Karel, the one embodying light in contrast to Karel's darkness.

"Her name was Klara, and she vanished in 1968," Kurtis responded.

"Vanished?" Lara questioned, her thoughts drifting to her father's journal and the information she had discovered about Klara and herself. However, she struggled to envision herself as the person described in the journal.

"Nobody knows what became of her, and since her disappearance, our order has been defenseless," Elizabeth sighed. "But fear not, we will soon locate the chosen one and prevent Karel from finding the Black Angel."

Lara nodded, and the group proceeded towards the entrance of the building. Upon entering, they found themselves traversing ancient halls and corridors. Eventually, they halted before an unassuming statue, and much to Lara's amusement, they understood its significance. Elizabeth pressed a specific point on the statue, causing a creaking noise. A secret passageway emerged from behind the statue.

Ensuring no one else was present, the group stealthily entered the passageway, which led them to a dimly lit hall opening up to a spacious atrium. Bookshelves lined the walls, and Chris stood before one of them, welcoming the group before handing Elizabeth a collection of books and scrolls.

"This scroll appears to be Klara's diary," Chris remarked as Elizabeth unrolled it on the table, captivating everyone's attention.

"It's written in Latin," Lara gasped, perusing the first line. "Beware the icy blast that could forever alter your life. Yet, do not fear, for it shall be temporary, and you shall once again become the Amazonian."

"This one is dated January 1968," Kurtis observed, peering over Lara's shoulder.

Lara turned to Kurtis, their eyes locking for a few seconds before she redirected her gaze to the scroll. She attempted to concentrate on its contents, despite Kurtis standing so close to her.

"Here is another inscription," Chris pointed out, indicating an earlier date. "Knights will fall all around you without your knowledge, but one day, you will inadvertently release the god Seth. And thus, you will stop at nothing until he is once again imprisoned."

"Egyptian mythology?" Elizabeth remarked, studying the entry's date: December 1967.

"Seth, the shadow who blots out the sun and the harbinger of plagues. His wrath shall consume all lands and remain unceasing unless the amulet of Horus is securely fastened," Chris explained, causing Elizabeth to glance at him.

"Oh, right, I had forgotten about that prophecy," Elizabeth admitted.

Lara looked down at the scroll, trying to suppress thoughts of that particular incident. She had not shared the full story with Elizabeth, who had returned six months after the events in Egypt.

Kurtis noticed Lara's silence and gently touched her shoulder. "Lara," he said, concern lacing his voice, "are you okay?"

Elizabeth and Chris exchanged glances before shifting their attention to Lara, who continued staring at the scroll.

"Lara?" Elizabeth interjected, placing her hand on the parchment. "What do you know?"

Lara pondered for a moment, contemplating how to divulge the information. "I... I set the god Seth free and subsequently re-imprisoned him. But I paid a heavy price."

"Wait, that happened two years ago," Elizabeth recalled, remembering the news.

Flashback two years ago.

Elizabeth woke up nestled in Chris's arms, their bodies entwined after the intense events in Cappadocia. Seeking solace and comfort, they had traveled to the nearest town and checked into a hotel, discussing their plans and strategies to thwart the Cabal. Eventually, fatigue overcame them, and they found solace in each other's embrace.

Careful not to disturb Chris's peaceful slumber, Elizabeth slipped out of his grasp and made her way to the bathroom. As she caught sight of her reflection in the mirror, her mind shifted to her next task—finding Kurtis. She pondered over his whereabouts, knowing he had left the army and ventured into freelance work.

Her thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the sound of the television turning on. Elizabeth turned to see Chris, sitting up in bed, smiling at her.

"Morning," he greeted.

"Morning," she replied, sliding back under the covers. "I didn't want to wake you."

He leaned in, capturing her lips in a tender kiss, just as the news reporter announced a breaking news story. They both turned their attention to the television.

"Reports are coming in that Miss Croft was buried alive by one of the pyramids in Giza. It's still unknown what Miss Croft was looking for..." the reporter relayed, before Elizabeth muted the television. Her eyes welled up with tears, and she glanced at Chris, seeking comfort.

"She was a dear friend of mine," Elizabeth confessed, her voice quivering, as Chris gently caressed her cheek.

"I'm so sorry," he murmured, pressing another kiss against her lips.

"You know, she saved my life once, back when we were complete strangers," Elizabeth shared, her gaze returning to the muted television. "First Konstantin, and now Lara. Who's next?"

"Hey, don't think like that," Chris interjected, cupping her face in his hands, redirecting her attention towards him. "We will find Kurtis and the others, and together, we will take down the Cabal. We won't let them harm anyone else."

Elizabeth found solace in his comforting words and the strength she saw in his eyes. They shared a moment of silent understanding, united in their resolve to fight back against the Cabal's tyranny. Their bond grew stronger, fueling their determination to confront the challenges that lay ahead.

Flashback ends

Elizabeth's eyes widened as the realization struck her. She turned to Lara, her voice trembling with a mix of shock and confusion.

"Lara, you're supposed to be dead," Chris exclaimed, his disbelief echoing Elizabeth's astonishment. Elizabeth stood there, at a loss for words, her mind racing to comprehend the unexpected turn of events. Just recently, she had written a letter to Lara expressing her relief that she was alive and well, unaware that it was meant as a tribute to Lara's bravery in facing the Cabal alone.

"Yeah, I know," Lara sighed wearily. "It seems the fates have chosen not to sever my lifeline just yet."

Kurtis interjected, breaking the uncomfortable silence that had settled among them. "But if Klara wrote this prophecy, and it has already come to pass, where is she now?"

Elizabeth furrowed her brow, focusing on the next line of the scroll. "Remember, dear one, the fire burns brighter and will always have a place in this world. Your brother grows stronger while you grow weaker. Even as I sleep, I guide you on the path of light. With the Black Angel's legacy, your brother can triumph, but with the chosen one, you will grow even stronger. The powerful warrior within you ensures that my awakening is merely a matter of time."

Chris interjected, recalling a significant detail. "That part stood out to me in Turkey. It's dated November 1967."

"The 'powerful warrior' reference caught my attention too," Elizabeth mused, her hand resting on her chin. "It seems to imply that Klara would become pregnant."

Lara interjected, her voice tinged with disbelief. "So if she returns, she will have given birth to a powerful warrior, triggering her own awakening as the mother. It doesn't make sense."

Chris added, "And what about the last writing, dated early February 1968? "Whoever reads this, I am grateful for your efforts to find me, but please don't. Our paths will cross again. Stop my brother from obtaining the Black Angel and preventing him from taking me—the Amazonian and the chosen one. I have witnessed things I dare not write, for they could fall into the wrong hands. I implore you to rectify this chaos and save our world.'"

"That was Klara's final entry before her disappearance," Chris informed them.

Lara pondered the mysterious revelations, trying to make sense of the fragmented information. "Something doesn't add up. Klara has been writing to herself in this scroll, yet somehow, I ended up releasing Seth."

Kurtis suggested, "Perhaps she led you to Seth's prison, intending for you to contain him."

Elizabeth interjected, "But there must be something we're missing. Lara, who else was with you when you encountered Seth?"

"Just my guide and me. Werner had followed me and was waiting for me to retrieve the amulet," Lara answered.

Elizabeth's voice held a note of urgency. "Perhaps we should focus on stopping Karel first. Klara mentioned in the scroll that she would join us in this fight."

Chris agreed, "Karel is our immediate concern. Let's discuss the plan."

Kurtis turned to David Bogomil, who emerged from one of the study rooms. "David, please enlighten them about our purpose here."

"Miss Clark," David acknowledged Elizabeth before turning to Kurtis and Chris. "Master Kurtis, Chris."

"Welcome, brother," both Kurtis and Chris greeted him.

Kurtis instructed David, "Please inform them about the artifacts."

David shifted his attention to the golden seal he had been using to locate the desired objects. "The two artifacts are here in Egypt—one in Cairo and the other in Suez," he revealed.

"We'll split up to retrieve the artifacts swiftly before Karel can get his hands on them," Kurtis outlined his plan. "Lara, you'll work alongside Chris, and Elizabeth, you'll partner with me."

"But I work alone," Lara protested.

Kurtis firmly responded, "You and Chris are the most familiar with Cairo. Besides, you can't afford to be alone. If Karel finds you, it's all over."

Elizabeth chimed in, emphasizing the importance of their collective safety. "Karel wants you alive for reasons we don't fully understand. I won't let him get his hands on you," she stated a protective tone in her voice.

Lara contemplated her options, then relented. "Okay," she acquiesced, crossing her arms.

Elizabeth continued, providing essential details. "Lara, for Cairo, I've contacted your friend Jean-Yves. He'll meet you at the Tomb's location. It's been a while since you've seen him, hasn't it?" Lara was taken aback by the news, realizing that she would reunite with Jean-Yves after a long absence. However, Kurtis redirected the conversation, eager to move forward.

"If there's nothing else, let's begin our journey," Kurtis declared.

"Right, let's get moving," Chris concurred, turning his attention to Lara. "Meet me at my jeep. I'll join you shortly."

Lara nodded, exiting the room, with Kurtis trailing behind her, carrying one of the books. This left Elizabeth and Chris alone.

Elizabeth drew closer to Chris, her voice filled with concern. "Chris, please be careful. I can't bear to lose you too. Something feels profoundly wrong, but I can't quite put my finger on it."

He kissed her tenderly on the lips, reassuring her. "I'll always be careful, knowing I'll see your face again," he assured her, a warm smile on his lips. "Whatever lies ahead, we'll face it together. We'll be ready."

Elizabeth sighed, her worry lingering. "I hope you're right," she whispered, watching as Chris walked out to his jeep.

Left alone, she gathered her resolve, preparing herself for the challenges that lay ahead. The weight of the impending battle rested heavily on her shoulders, but she knew that with their unwavering determination and unity, they stood a chance at saving not only themselves but also the world from the clutches of the Cabal.