Chapter 11: Suez
4Hrs 23Min (364km), Suez, Egypt
The Evening
The city of Suez is situated along a vast bay at the head of the eponymous Gulf. However, the city's history has not been without turmoil. During the intense conflicts between Egyptian and Israeli forces in the 1967 and 1973 wars, Suez suffered extensive damage, almost reaching a state of complete destruction.
Amidst this backdrop of historical scars, our intrepid adventurers, Kurtis and Elizabeth, found themselves drawn to the Canal. Unbeknownst to the Egyptians, a remarkable secret lay hidden within its depths—an underwater entrance leading to the tomb of legendary warriors. These warriors had fought valiantly in a battle between the forces of good and evil, their final resting place concealed beneath the very waters of the Canal.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow on the night sky adorned with a crescent moon, Kurtis and Elizabeth arrived at the Canal. Climbing out of their jeep, they took in the sight before them. Elizabeth's gaze fell upon the water, and a sigh escaped her lips.
Kurtis, curious about her melancholy, turned his attention to the Canal, observing the moon's gentle illumination of the river's surface. "What's troubling you?" he inquired, seeking to understand the source of her concern.
Her eyes still fixed on the Canal, Elizabeth replied, her voice tinged with longing, "Years ago, my team and I were in search of the fabled tomb of these mighty warriors. It was said to be a mere ten miles from here. However, the Egyptians confiscated our documents, dismissing our quest as futile—a pursuit of something that did not exist. Little did they know, the tomb had been concealed beneath the very waters of this Canal all along."
Kurtis, brimming with determination, responded, "Then let us waste no more time. Together, we shall uncover this artifact and unearth the secrets hidden within." With those words, he plunged into the water, with Elizabeth following closely behind.
Submerged beneath the surface, they embarked on their search for the hidden entrance. Elizabeth's keen eyes spotted a rusty lever concealed beneath a rock. Eagerly, she grasped it and pulled, causing the ground beneath them to open. With a smile directed at Kurtis, she swam ahead, disappearing into the newfound opening. Kurtis shook his head in awe, then followed suit.
Navigating the labyrinthine underwater passage, they swam diligently, taking turns and keeping a vigilant eye out for any traps. Finally, they reached a platform and emerged from the water, gasping for air. Exhausted but determined, they lay on their backs, relishing the chance to catch their breath and gather their strength.
Yet, Elizabeth's senses tingled with a peculiar awareness—an unsettling feeling that they were being observed. Sensing her unease, Kurtis rose to his feet, mirroring her actions. Together, they gazed down the long hallway that had captured Elizabeth's attention. Their gaze fixed on what lay ahead, they proceeded forward.
As they walked, the pair abruptly turned right, only to come face to face with a barrage of flying blades. Elizabeth let out a resigned sigh, attempting to discern a pattern or rhythm among the whirling blades, but their movement seemed entirely random. "It's unpredictable," she mused, voicing her observations.
Perplexed, Kurtis questioned, "What do we do now? I see no alternative passage."
Elizabeth, ever resourceful, replied, "We must combine our powers, concentrate our energies, and halt the blades. Together, we can overcome this obstacle." With their hands raised and determination etched on their faces, they took a deep breath, focusing their thoughts on ceasing the relentless onslaught. Miraculously, after a minute of intense concentration, the blades came to a standstill. Kurtis beamed at Elizabeth, grateful for their shared abilities, and pressed on, with Elizabeth close behind.
Continuing their journey through the labyrinthine corridors, they encountered a door. Kurtis, harnessing his powers, unleashed a mighty blast, shattering the door into fragments. Stepping into the room beyond, they found themselves surrounded by an array of statues and multiple doorways.
Elizabeth's eyes alighted upon the statues, each bearing the names of Lux knights. Filled with certainty, she exclaimed, "We have arrived at the right place. These statues bear the names of the great warriors we seek."
Caught in a dilemma, Kurtis inquired, "Which door should we choose?" His gaze shifted toward the six doors—three on the right and three on the left.
Elizabeth's attention was momentarily diverted to the wall at the end of the room. As she approached, she discovered intricate paintings depicting angels and humans. The celestial beings, positioned above the humans, brandished swords bestowed upon them. The humans, with shields in hand, reached out in gratitude. Curiosity piqued, she examined the swords more closely, reading aloud the names etched upon them—Limoux, Occitan, DeCombel, and Montsegur. Her eyes then shifted to the shields, bearing the names Guilhelm, Bogomil, Aircard, and Vasiley.
Turning to face Kurtis, who had joined her at the wall, she shared her findings. "The prominence of humans in these paintings is no coincidence," she proposed. "We are humans with supernatural abilities. It seems fitting that the swords and shields are entrusted to our kind."
Elizabeth's keen perception then noticed a striking detail—four of the statues were missing their swords. "The statues represent the exchange of weapons between angels and humans," she explained. "To proceed, we must retrieve the missing swords and return them to their rightful places."
Kurtis absorbed this information, contemplating their next move. "So, what is our course of action?" he queried, eager to contribute to their quest.
Elizabeth's eyes gleamed with determination. "We shall split up," she declared. "I will take the right doors, and you shall explore the left. Together, we will search for the swords, surmounting each challenge that awaits us."
Acknowledging the plan, Kurtis nodded, and with renewed purpose, they embarked on their separate journeys, driven by a shared mission to retrieve the swords and unravel the enigma that lay before them.
Kurtis stood in the room, facing the statue of the Angel protected by the ring of fire. Determined to claim the sword, he scanned the surroundings for any hints or clues. His eyes landed on two pillars and a painting situated between them, illuminated by candles.
Approaching the painting, Kurtis observed an Angel soaring above a gathering of radiant warriors. In the painting, the Angel wielded a flaming sword, held high in the air. Intrigued, Kurtis shifted his gaze to the opposite side of the room, where another set of pillars and candles stood, accompanied by a different painting.
This painting depicted a man engulfed in fire, manipulating the flames with his hands. Below him, a map sprawled across the ground, while a statue bearing a blazing sword stood in the background. A smile tugged at the corners of Kurtis' lips as he deciphered the connection. "So, I must utilize the power of fire to reach the Angel," he surmised, anticipating the challenge ahead.
Returning to the Angel statue, the ring of fire promptly rekindled, blocking his path. Kurtis raised his hands, focusing his thoughts and summoning his inner power. With concentrated effort, he wrestled control over the flames, bending them to his will.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth found herself in a room separate from Kurtis, her path forward sealed by the closed door. Unfazed, she surveyed the area, spotting a distant statue of an Angel, clutching the coveted sword. As she ventured closer, the room trembled, and the floor beneath her vanished, launching her into the air.
"Great, just when I thought I was done with flying," Elizabeth muttered, frustration lacing her voice. Despite the resistance of the wind, she yearned to reach the platform where the statue resided. Landing on a nearby platform, she brushed off the minor setback and turned her attention to a painting on the wall.
The painting depicted an Angel gracefully gliding through the sky, high above the clouds, eyes closed in serene concentration. Below the painting, Elizabeth noticed inscribed words: "To obtain the sword, you must harness the wind. To control the wind, one must comprehend its origin and destination."
Her gaze returned to the distant statue, a glimmer of realization shining in her eyes. She took to the air once again, focusing her thoughts on the wind, seeking to grasp its essence. Engrossed in her task, Elizabeth felt the sensation of floating amidst the clouds, a sense of harmony with the unseen currents. "That's it," she exclaimed, a triumphant smile illuminating her face. "To control the wind is to understand its flow. Now, I shall claim the sword."
With newfound confidence, Elizabeth propelled herself towards the platform where the Angel and the sword awaited her. The winds yielded to her command, guiding her through the air with grace and precision.
As Karel descended from the helicopter, a wicked smile crept across his face. The city of Suez lay before him, and soon his grand plan would come to fruition. No longer would his sister interfere with his ambitions. Karel had spent years delving into the secrets of their shared past, discovering the true nature of his sister's actions. She had bestowed her powers upon the Lux Veritatis, aiding them in their endeavors and amassing an army against him.
His mind drifted back to the day he had come so close to ending her life.
It was February 14, 1968, in the vibrant city of London, Britain. Klara, resolute in her mission, roamed the streets, seeking allies to aid her in the ultimate battle. She also sought the Chosen One, the key to her victory. She stepped into a quaint little shop to quench her thirst, idly fingering the necklace adorning her neck, engraved with her name. Suddenly, an energy bolt struck her, propelling her several miles away, obliterating the shop in its wake. Wounded and weakened, Klara rose, clutching her bleeding arm. Her powers were fading, while her brother grew stronger with every passing day.
In the aftermath, Karel approached her with a malevolent smile, flanked by Eckhardt and the Cabal. Klara locked eyes with her treacherous sibling, her gaze burning with defiance.
"Brother, you have once again tracked me down," she declared, her voice laced with unyielding determination.
"Indeed, Klara. This battle has raged for far too long," Karel responded, his smile widening.
"No, Karel. I will find the Chosen One, awaken our mother, and together, we will eradicate you once and for all!" Klara spat, consumed by anger, as she soared into the sky, Karel in hot pursuit.
For an hour, they clashed in the heavens, locked in a fierce struggle. Finally, Karel seized his sister by the throat, his grip tightening. He taunted her with a malevolent gleam in his eyes.
"Farewell, sister," he sneered, hurtling her towards the ground with immense force. Unleashing a devastating energy bolt, he enveloped her in blinding white light. But in an unexpected turn of events, the light exploded, hurtling Karel fifty miles away from his sister's transformed form.
Klara, now reduced to a mere infant, was discovered by a newlywed couple. They adopted her as their own, gazing at the broken necklace adorning her neck, which still revealed the fragmented name "lara." Bound by a curse he had placed upon himself, Karel dared not approach the family. He had decreed that if he were to slay Klara without the Periapt shard or the Golden Shards, he, too, would meet his demise. Thus, he left her be, focusing on his own work, hoping that she would never remember her true identity or the world she had left behind.
Returning to the present moment, Karel's sinister laughter filled the air as he disembarked from the helicopter, the weight of his vendetta against his sister heavy on his mind. His loyal soldier interrupted his reverie, drawing his attention.
"Yes?" Karel responded, casting a brief glance in the soldier's direction.
"The others have arrived, Master, and they are making their way towards the tomb," the soldier reported.
"Very well. Let us await their arrival here," Karel replied, a smug grin adorning his face.
"And Gunderson, have you located the other Golden Shard?" Karel inquired, his impatience palpable.
"Not yet, Master, but we are close to uncovering all three Golden Shards," Gunderson assured him.
"Excellent. Ensure your men retrieve those shards with utmost urgency," Karel commanded, his irritation simmering beneath the surface. The pursuit of the Golden Shards had become a vexing ordeal, but Karel knew that acquiring them was essential to his grand design.
Egypt, Suez
Kurtis, Lara, and Chris stood in the golden room, contemplating their next move. Kurtis marveled at the opulence surrounding them, with gold adorning every surface, including a river of flowing gold. At the top of the room, a golden statue of an Angel held yet another sword, the object of their quest.
However, their attention was drawn to another figure in the room, a statue that had once been their comrade, Kent. Kurtis couldn't help but express his surprise and concern at seeing his friend transformed into gold.
"Kent, I wonder where he went, but what happened? Why has he turned into gold?" Kurtis pondered aloud, his gaze fixed on the petrified form.
Just then, they heard voices approaching from behind. Kurtis swiftly raised his gun, ready to defend himself, but his caution turned to relief as he recognized the familiar faces of Lara and Chris.
"Lara!" Kurtis exclaimed, momentarily lowering his weapon, while Chris emerged alongside her. "How did you guys get here so fast?"
Lara glanced at Kurtis, a hint of a smile on her face. "That's a long story, Kurtis, but now is not the time to delve into it," she replied.
Chris chimed in, adding a sense of urgency to their conversation. "Karel is on his way," he warned. "We need to act quickly. Where is Elizabeth?"
"We split up," Kurtis explained, his gaze shifting between his companions. "We needed to acquire four swords like the one up there." He pointed toward the golden statue at the top of the room. "But, as Lara mentioned, we can't touch the gold. Look what happened to Kent."
Their attention turned back to the lifeless statue of their friend, a grim reminder of the consequences they faced if they were not cautious.
"We must find a way to retrieve that sword and locate Elizabeth," Kurtis declared, determination evident in his voice. "But how?"
Lara, ever resourceful and strategic, stepped forward, a glimmer of excitement in her eyes. "I have a plan," she announced, capturing the attention of her comrades. Memories flooded back to her, reminiscent of a past adventure in Greece, involving a similar golden room and the search for a crucial artifact.
The group huddled together, ready to listen to Lara's plan, knowing that their success depended on her expertise and cunning. With Karel's imminent arrival and the fate of their allies at stake, they needed to act swiftly and cleverly to navigate the treacherous challenges that lay ahead.
Turkey
Daniel Aircard, a skilled scientist and ally to Elizabeth, possessed the ability to render himself invisible, making him an ideal spy for gathering crucial information. Elizabeth had tasked him with infiltrating a stronghold in Turkey, where the Cabal was rumored to be conducting nefarious activities. Invisible and undetectable, Daniel stealthily moved through the castle, searching for any evidence that could aid their cause.
In one particular laboratory, Daniel stumbled upon a shocking discovery. The Cabal was experimenting with Karel's DNA in an attempt to create more Nephilim, but their efforts had been unsuccessful thus far. A board revealed their need for another angel's DNA, specifically that of Karel's sister, Klara.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Daniel's thoughts raced. This was bad news, and he needed to relay it to Elizabeth immediately. He silently slipped away from the laboratory and into a nearby room where two scientists engaged in a conversation. Daniel stood motionless, eavesdropping on their discussion.
"These experiments are not working. How long before Karel captures his sister?" one scientist questioned.
The other scientist responded, "Well, he just left in his helicopter for Egypt. Apparently, his sister is there with those Lux Veritatis bastards."
Curiosity piqued, Daniel listened intently as the conversation continued.
"When we have her blood, will Karel kill her then?" the first scientist inquired.
"He can't kill her without the shards," the second scientist explained.
Confused, the first scientist probed further, "Why can't he kill her without the shard?"
"Because if she dies, he dies. But if she dies from the blade of the shard, he remains alive. Supposedly, there are three golden shards. Elizabeth Clark possesses one, Richard Croft has another, and the whereabouts of the third shard are unknown," the second scientist disclosed.
Daniel's mind reeled with the information he had just overheard. The situation was more complicated than he had anticipated. Karel's inability to kill Klara without the shards had spared her life thus far. Furthermore, it seemed Klara suffered from amnesia, a consequence of Karel turning her into a baby during their war in 1968.
Realizing the urgency of the situation, Daniel knew he had to inform Elizabeth immediately. He needed to find a secure location to make contact with her. Determined, he set off in search of a place where he could relay the disturbing news and devise a plan of action. Time was of the essence, and they needed to act swiftly to counter the Cabal's dangerous experiments and protect Klara from Karel's sinister intentions.
Egypt, Suez
Elizabeth was on a mission to retrieve the last piece of the sword when an ominous voice interrupted her thoughts. The words filled her with rage, prompting a defiant response. "I will kill her and you, and your brothers will watch her die…"
Determined not to be intimidated, Elizabeth retorted, "Karel, I'll make sure you die as well."
The voice faded away, leaving Elizabeth even angrier. She pushed forward, entering the next room, only to have the door close behind her. She found herself standing in a chamber surrounded by flowing water, a sight that frustrated her further. Searching for a clue or solution, she discovered a painting on the wall.
The painting depicted an Angel gracefully hovering over the water, effortlessly controlling its flow. In the Angel's hand was the very sword Elizabeth sought. A glimmer of hope emerged within her. "This is going to be easy," she remarked with newfound determination. She propelled herself above the water towards the statue, successfully retrieving the sword. However, her triumph was short-lived as she noticed the water level rapidly rising.
Elizabeth's initial confidence gave way to anxiety. "Oh, shit, now what?" she exclaimed, desperately pondering her next move. She attempted to harness control over the water, exerting her will, but each effort ended in failure. The water continued to rise, threatening to engulf her completely.
"I can't die like this," Elizabeth thought, her resolve strengthening. With a renewed sense of urgency, she surveyed the surroundings, seeking an alternative escape route. She needed to find a way out of the perilous situation before the water consumed her.
Meanwhile, Lara grew increasingly frustrated with the waiting. She questioned the purpose of their delay, restless to move forward. "Okay, so why are we waiting?" she inquired, her impatience evident. They had been stationed in a room adorned with statues and doors, patiently anticipating Elizabeth's arrival with the remaining two swords.
Kurtis, feeling the weight of responsibility, responded to Lara's query. "We're waiting for Elizabeth to bring the other two swords," he explained, his concern palpable.
Sensing the tension, Chris interjected, his voice betraying a hint of anxiety. "Kurtis, use your Farsee ability to locate her. We can't afford to waste any more time," he pleaded, his worry for Elizabeth evident.
Understanding his brother's fear, Kurtis agreed to make use of his clairvoyant powers. Closing his eyes and raising his hands, he tapped into his unique gift. He projected his consciousness through the closed door, searching for Elizabeth's presence. After a moment, he successfully located her and swiftly returned to his physical form, maintaining his balance despite the disorienting experience.
Lara pressed for answers, eager to determine their next course of action. "And?" she pressed, her gaze fixed on Kurtis.
Taking a deep breath, Kurtis relayed the distressing news. "She's trapped in a room rapidly filling with water," he revealed, aware of the urgency that loomed over them.
Chris's voice trembled with concern as he contemplated the dire circumstances. "How long does she have before she's submerged?" he inquired, his fear for Elizabeth's safety apparent.
Assessing the situation, Kurtis estimated the remaining time. "I'd say not more than half an hour," he replied, the gravity of the situation weighing heavily on his shoulders.
Determined to rescue their comrade, Lara and Kurtis exchanged a meaningful glance, their minds racing to find a solution. Chris's panic intensified as time slipped away. "We can't stand here all day; she's going to drown," he pleaded, his voice filled with desperation.
In the face of imminent danger, the trio knew they had to act swiftly. They scanned the closed door, seeking an entry point, their minds working furiously to devise a plan that could save Elizabeth from her watery predicament.