I'm finally through with the chapter 8 of the tomb raider. I didn't rush it but it took far longer than expected.
I'm sorry if I have caused you guys any trouble so far. I haven't forgotten about my Godhand fiction, I just want to finish up the tomb raider first. I hope you guys enjoy it.
Declaimer: I don't own anything except for some plots and the efforts put into writing it.
"Speech"
'Thought'
Flashback
"« »"( )" I'll use this two to indicate an action taking place in the background and location.
.
(Creek creek)
"What?" Naruto repeated the question. He felt that he didn't hear her well the first time.
"I found himiko's tomb."~ Lara repeated.
"Himiko's tomb?"
"Yes. I also found a painting about a fire ritual...A sacrificial ritual. The painting was that of a woman set on fire."
'A woman on fire?'
"Is that why they kidnapped Sam? for a sacrifice?" Naruto's heart skipped a beat at the implication.
"That's not all. It's an anscension ritual where she transfers her power to another person."
"If it's an anscension ritual, then why is the successor set on fire. It doesn't make sense." Naruto frowned. He felt that something just doesn't add up about all of this.
"I don't know but I feel that it's mig..." A gunshot sounded off on the other side of the radio disrupting whatever she was about to say.
"Shit!"~
"Lara is everything alright?!"
"They found me, Naruto! I'll talk to you later!"
"Wai...!" The connection cut off before Naruto could finish his sentence.
"Fuck! I've got to hurry." Naruto hurriedly cut off the deer meat. After washing it in a stream nearby, he wrap it in one of the scavenger's cloth, tied it across his shoulder and made his way into the forest. Moving deeper into the forest he used his knives to clear the way. The dense foliage blocked out the sun and the sound of the wildlife echoed in his surrounding but he paid it no mind.
"Just how huge is this forest?" He had been walking for an hour and he still hadn't managed to escape the forest. It was late into the dead of night when he decided to take a break.
Gathering whatever woods or branches he could find around, he set up a simple campfire using the lighter he took from the scavengers. Unwrapping the deer meat, he staked it before roasting it over the fire. He sat down in front of the fire watching the flickering flame.
Naruto took of his jacket and removed the cloth wrap around the wound on his left shoulder. The wound he received from the arrow had yet to heal but it look better than it was before. He cut off a piece of clean strand from his cleanly acquired shirt and wrapped it around the wound before wearing his jacket back on.
Time slowly passed by, but he kept his mind on full alert. He reminded himself to not repeat the same mistake again. The trauma from that fall still lingered. He kept thinking about what he had heard from Lara about the queen and the ascension ritual.
According to what his father told him, himiko was a ruthless queen, uncaring for the lives of her subjects that she ruled. So that begs the question. Why would she perform an ascension ritual? What does she gain from transferring her power to some else?
While Naruto was still poundering about his thoughts it didn't take long for the meat to get done. After eating his fill, he laid down on his side to rest. It was unknown how much time had passed but the rustling sound made by the bushes woke him up from his sleep. He hurriedly grab his SMG and aim at the bush where the sound came from.
He tried his best to make as little sound as possible as that would give away his position. The many bloody battles and near death experience, had taught him to always be on high alert.
He patiently waited for whatever it was that was causing the noise to come out. The rustling got louder and the bushes started shaking more violently. He placed his finger on the trigger ready to fire. The sound got closer and closer until finally something jumped out.
"Huh" Naruto blinked owlishly at the wild rabbit that suddenly pop out of the bush. It look curiously at him with it black bead-like eyes before hopping away.
Seeing this, Naruto sighed out in relief.
"It's just a rabbit"
He was about to lie down again when his ears caught a sharp sound in the air. He rolled out of the way and not even a few seconds later an arrow hit the tree behind him imbedding itself in the bark of the tree.
"Shit, I missed!"
"He's getting away!"
"Don't let him escape!"
Naruto didn't let them approach him as he fired off rounds into the bushes before running away.
"Arrggh"
"Fuck someone just got shot!"
"Oh shit"
"Be careful, he has a gun!"
"Fuck! How did they find me?!"
The bushes behind him started rustling as they chased after him. He could hear gunshots echoing out behind him.
Someone jump out of the bushes beside him and tackled him to the ground.
"I got him! I got him! I.."
Thud. Crack.
Before he could continue, Naruto dislocated his lower jaw with the butt of his gun sending him to the ground. He didn't spare the moaning form on the ground a second glare before dashing into the bushes.
"Ahhh"
The scavengers arrived at this time to see their colleague in pain. One of them helped him fix his jaw before asking. "Where did he go?"
"That bastard went that way!"
They chased after him nonstop for a few minutes before they finally caught sight of him. The scavengers got excited, adrenaline coursing through their vain prompting them to increase their speed when they saw him standing there unmoving.
"There he is!"
"Get him!"
Naruto just stood there, even as the scavengers got closer and closer, he didn't dare to move an inch or take his eyes away. The scavengers also seemed to have noticed that something was wrong as they speed gradually reduced.
"Wait. Why is he just standing there?"
They slowed down to a stop but one of them failed to notice and just ran straight ahead. Naruto glanced at the scavenger running towards him from the corner of his eyes and his heart skipped. He nearly had an heart attack when the scavenger finally entered his range.
'Oh oh'
"Oh shit!" The scavenger stopped in his track when he saw the tiger standing a few feet away from Naruto but it was already too late as the tiger had already noticed him.
Roar!
The tiger pounced towards him ferociously. Naruto jumped out of the way while the scavenger opened fire on the beast. He didn't stop to watch the battle of man and beast and quickly use the opportunity to run into another part of the forest. The tiger had caught him by surprise before so he wasn't able reach for his gun in time or it would have attacked him. The scavenger was a blessing in disguise.
"Oh fuck! It's a tiger!"
"Help him!"
"He's getting away, stop him!"
Bang. Bang. Bang...
Gunfire lights up the dark forest behind him but he do not dare look back. Naruto ran through the bushes with his head lowered. Sharp thorns rip and tear his clothes, some even leaving scratch marks on his face. Adrenaline pumped through his veins cause he knows that if he was ever caught he would be killed.
'I can't keep running, I've gotta hide.'
Naruto burst out of the bushes into another part of the forest. The voices of the scavengers draw closer filling him with despair. He looked around for a place to hide or else if he keeps running he might eventually run out of breath and risk getting caught.
Not a moment too soon a scavenger burst out of the bushes beside a tree, followed by two more.
"Where did he go?"
"He shouldn't have gone far. Come on"
They advanced through the forest continuing their search for their prey. Said prey watched them leave from a branch of a huge tree and eaves a sigh of relief.
"That was close"
"Naruto, are you there?"~
'Shit' He hurriedly turned off his radio.
"What was that?" one of the scavengers turned back to scan the area. He thought he heard a voice just now.
"What is it?" His partner asked.
"It's nothing. Let's go."
Naruto watched them leave with a fearful gaze. His heart pounding heavily against his chest. He nearly got caught after managing to escape.
This time after making certain that they were gone, he turned his radio back on.
"Roth, what is it?" Naruto asked in a low tone, not wanting to attract any attention. As much as he wanted to get angry at Roth for nearly getting him caught, he couldn't blame him for his bad timing.
"Naruto, are you in trouble? where are you?"~
"Not anymore. I'm in a forest somewhere, I think. Why do you ask?"
"The others have been captured and are being held captive in a palace."~ Roth revealed being the bearer of bad news.
"What?" When he thought things couldn't get any bad, things started taking a turn for the worst.
"Yes. I'm heading there right now."~
"Okay. I'll see if there's anyway for me to get there."
"It's alright, just stay safe."~
Naruto switched off the radio to prevent any accidents from happening. He got down as quietly as he can from the tree and used the cover of night to avoid the scavengers searching around the forest for him. Now that he had thrown them off his tail it made this easier to achieve.
Naruto dragged his tired and muddied body through the forest. After managing to escape from the scavengers he had been walking none stop without any rest because he was scared of the scavengers finding him, so he didn't dare to take any break.
After the long arduous journey, he finally made it out of the forest and all he could say is...
"Wow"
In front of him is a large shanty town made of a cluster of houses. Behind the town is a mountain range and a huge palace rested at the top of mountain in the distance. A huge overhead bridge connecting the mountain to a tall building in the other side of the town. The bridge is lined with torii gates placed a few distances apart. Naruto make his way into the town covered in mud grin and sweat. The empty town had this dead feeling to it as if devoid of life.
"Is this the town Grim was talking about?" Naruto asked no one in particular as he cautiously walk into the town.
(screech.)
"Naruto are you there?"
Naruto stopped in his tracks, pulled out the radio from his jacket and replied.
"I'm here, Lara"
"Naruto, they have Alex and the others." Lara said without delay. The concern evident in her weak and tired voice. She sounded exhausted and out of breath.
"I know. Roth already told me about it. Are you still in the tomb?"
"No, I left. I'm in some sort of shanty town."~
"Really?! So am I!. Maybe I can meet up with you" Naruto said, his voice sounding relieved. He had been thinking of out to meet up with Lara but to think that the two of them would eventually end up in the same place.
"Alright. I'll see if I can create a signal for you to follow."~
"Okay. I'm glad you are safe"
"Me too."
The radio disconnected only for him to hear a voice call out behind him. "Hey you there!"
'Oh no'
Naruto froze still when he heard the voice. His mind went into overdrive thinking about how to handle the situation. He inwardly berated himself for letting down his guard.
The scavenger walk up to him and stare at him with scrutinizing eyes.
"What are you doing standing here? And why do you look so muddy?" The scavenger asked as he couldn't see his facial features well because of the mud on his face. Because he was putting on the scavengers clothes he assumed him to be one of them.
"I slipped and fell during my patrol in the forest."
"Is that so?" The scavenger seemed convinced. "Well don't just stand around. Come with me. There's been news of an old man sighted in the town."
'An old man?...Is it Grim?' Naruto followed quietly behind him while trying to uncover the identity of the old man. The scavenger led him through the town.
No matter what this was an opportunity for him to get inside information so he didn't hesitate.
Clearing his thoughts he tried to act as natural as he could and asked. "So what exactly are father mathias plan?"
"The Solariis brotherhood are planning to make a sacrifice to Himiko"
'This sacrifice thing again' Although he already knew all of this he still acted clueless.
"A sacrifice?"
"Yes. Father mathias found a girl with the bloodline of Himiko running through her vein. Only someone bearing the Queen's bloodline can be used for the sacrifice."
'So it is sam. So only sam can be sacrificed. Should this be considered a blessing or a curse.'
"But why the sacrifice? What's so special?"
The scavenger suddenly stopped to look at him. A look of suspicion flashed through his face.
"you don't know, do you?
Naruto's heart raced as he feared that he had been caught but his facial expression never changed.
"No. I have been wandering around the forest without a radio. So I might have missed out on a few important announcement."
"Is that so?" The scavenger turned around to continue through leading the way. Naruto sighed relief when he saw this.
"Well according to the announcement made by father Mathias, the sacrifice will enable us to leave this island."
"What?" Now that was something new.
The scavenger mistaken his surprise for excitement and nodded with a smile. But what was currently going through naruto's mind was something else entirely. According to Lara, the sacrifice was an ascension ritual meant for the transferring of power. Was father Mathias not being honest with the brotherhood? Or did he also not know? It's highly unlikely.
Boom_
A loud explosion occured among the houses in the distance catching the both of them off guard. The scavenger hurriedly reached for his radio and asked. "what the hell is going on?!"
"We have apprehended him!"
"What?!" The two of them exchanged surprised looks. Both for different reasons.
'He was caught? This is bad?'
"Good job. Bring him to the camp."
"Yes sir!"~
After turning off his radio. he turned to Naruto and said. "Let's return back to base."
Shaking off his thoughts Naruto nodded and followed behind him. "Okay."
It took them only a couple of minutes to get back to base. When they got there Naruto realized that they used the shanty houses as their hideout. The scavenger lead him into one of a houses that manage to stand out among the others.
Argh_
Naruto stepped into a room to see Grim tied to a chair with two others excluding the scavenger that was with him.
'So, it was grim!' Naruto exclaimed in his head. He manage to put on a poker face and go stand with the other scavengers. The others gave him a little space as they were scared of him standing near them and staining them with the mud on his body.
"Ya bastards!" Grin spat on the scavenger closest to him earning him a fist to the face.
"How dear you!"
"Hey!" One of them stepped in to stop him when he was about to continue beating him.
"We need him alive. Father mathias wants to question him. I won't be the one to take the blame if you killed him by accident."
Not even a minute after he said those words said man walked into the room like a saint.
Naruto's eyes narrowed when he saw the source of their problems. 'Speak of the devil.'
"Father mathias." The Solariis all greeted him with respect. Father mathias ignored them all of them and turned to look at the grim, noticing the bruise on his right cheek and frowned.
"I'm sorry if my men were a little rough on you. That was not my intention." Father mathias said with a gentle smile. However, grim was having none of it.
"Keep ya dirty apology to ya self. Where is Sam?!"
Father mathias ignored him and signalled for one of the scavengers who brought him a chair to sit down and he sat opposite grim.
"So you were saying?"
"WHERE IS SAM YA BASTARD?!" Grim raged. If it wasn't for the fact that he was tied down he would have probably jumped father Mathias by now.
Father Mathias didn't care for his outburst and answered calmly. "She's fine. For now. You should be grateful that Himiko chose her. Now she can serve a greater calling than herself."
"A greater calling?" No matter how angry he was his brain still managed to process the words.
"Yes." Seeing that his words were finally getting to him, father Mathias smiled and continued. "Through Sam Himiko shall rise again to rule this world. We as her followers and chosen ones shall be allowed to leave this island. That is why you should join us."
"If that is true. Then, what will happen to Sam?"
A look flashed across father mathias face but it didn't go unnoticed by grim. "She is a small price to pay for our freedom.
"SCREW YA!" Now grim was out of it.
Seeing that his words could no longer reach him, Father Mathias got up from his seat and walk towards the door. "You'll regret your decision." He turned to the scavenger beside him and said. "Kill him."
"Yes sir."
The scavenger turned back and signalled to the others after father Mathias left.
The that hit grim earlier, grinned, pulled out a combat knife and stalked closer to grim.
"I'm going to enjoy this"
Swoosh_
"Argh"
"What's that?" The scavenger turned around to see what was going on. A knife draw a curve line in the air stabbing into his skull, puncturing his brain. The knife was pulled out of the skull and blood gushed out the wound like a mini fountain.
Grim was shocked by this scene. He watched the scavenger fall down to the ground dead before looking around the room noticing the other scavengers dead bodies on the ground with their throats slit. His gaze unwillingly returned back to the man responsible for it.
Was this perhaps father Mathias order? To kill every witness including himself? But why?
Seeing the man slowly make his way towards him from felt his heart beat increase. Although he wasn't afraid of dying. He couldn't help but think about how the others where doing. It saddened him that he could see their journey through.
'I'm sorry everyone' Steeling his resolve. He closed his eyes an waited for the sweet embrace of death. After a few seconds he heard something being cut but surprising he didn't feel any pain, rather he felt the restraints on his hands and legs loosen up. Opening his eyes he saw his supposed killer looking at him with an amusing look on his face.
'What's going on? Why isn't he going for the killing blow?'
"What's with that look, you old bag of bones?"
"Naruto!" He blurted out in surprise. Of all the things he had expected, being saved wasn't one of them, and that by that yellow head hedgehog.
"What? are you not happy to see me?"
"How did you manage to infiltrate them" Grim asked as he had once tried to do so but failed. Naruto pointed at one of the scavengers on the floor, the same one that had brought him here and said. "I was mistake as one of them because of the clothes and the muds obscuring my face.
"I see."
Naruto picked up one of the scavengers gun and handed it to grim. "We have to move quickly before the others notice."
"Okay"
Naruto took the lead and walk out the door with grim behind him. He scouted the hallway clearing any scavenger he found. Since they were trying not to attract attention he could only use his combat knives.
Naruto turned a corner only to get spotted by two scavengers guarding the entrance.
"Hey you where are you going? Father Mathias says nobody leaves. Where is your post?" The scavenger asked with a scrutinizing gaze.
"Ah About that" Naruto scratched his head sheepishly, before the scavenger could react he slammed the butt of his gun on his face knocking him out.
"Run!" Grim was speechlessly followed after naruto when he saw him ran out the out.
By now the other scavenger had reacted and opened fire on them while shouting.
"INTRUDERS! INTRUDERS!!"
Grim followed Naruto through the cluster of houses avoiding the scavengers. Gun shots echoed out behind them. They took cover behind a metal barell and container. Naruto pulled out his SMG and returned fire with grim doing the same, turning it into a gunfight.
(Clattering)
Bang bang ...
"Kill them both!"
"Fuck. there's too many of them."
"Take cover!" A scavenger holding a molotov ran out from behind the cover and threw it at him.
"Shit!"
"Move out!"
The two of them scattered off in different directions before the molotov hit the ground exploding.
"Don't let them get away!" Seeing them escape through the houses the scavengers chased after them. Gunshots resounded around the small town.
Naruto hid inside a shanty building and watch the shadows of the scavengers pas by underneath the door. "I just found grim and we already got separated."
(Screech)
"Naruto, it's Roth, what's going on?"~ Naruto pulled out his radio when he heard Roth's voice and replied.
"Roth, I am here. I found grim but we got separated."
"You found grim?!."
"Yes. Have you guys found sam?"
"No, but Lara was in contact with her not long ago"~
Naruto heaved a sigh of relief when he heard that Sam we still alive. A weight suddenly lifted off his shoulder.
"What did she say?"
"She's being held captivein himiko's palace along with the others. I'm currently heading there now."~
Naruto looked surprised as he didn't expect to hear that.
"Palace? I can already see the palace from here."~
"What? That means that Lara must be close by."~
"Lara is also here." Naruto perked up at this.
"I talked to her not long ago. She said she's in a shanty town."~
Tap. tap. tap.
Naruto heard footsteps approaching and quickly disconnected the radio.
"shhh"
"Hey I heard voices just now"
"..."
"You must be hearing things. Let's go."
Sigh.
After confirming that they are gone he moved out the building when he heard an explosion occur in the distance.
"What was that?"
(Boom)
"Argh" Lara roll off the roof falling to the ground. She staggered back up to her feet hugging her sides in pain. The explosive just now had taken place a little too close for safety.
"I heard a noise coming from that side!"
"It could be them!"
"Hurry!"
"Fuck" Hearing their approaching footsteps ran between two houses, her body in slight pain from the fall.
"She went through that side, get her!"
Lara rounded a corner and not long after she the scavengers ran past. After waiting for them to leave she finally climb out.
(Gunshots, Boom)
"What was that?" She look into the distance where she heard the gunshots and explosion coming from.
"Are there others here?"
"Fuck" Naruto returned fire on the scavengers using the buildings as cover.
"Argh"
"Man down. we need back up!"
(Gunshots)
Naruto behind square metal shot a gas cylinder close by where a few hunters were hiding on the opposite roof killing them by the explosion. The ones that managed to escape scattered to find new cover.
"Fuck! You'll pay for that"
Naruto peek out from behind the square metal on the roof and noticed that the back up has yet to show up.
'There are less people coming to serve as back up now.' Naruto took notice of this after seeing the number of people chasing him decrease. 'Their forces must be divided. Is it because of Grim and Lara.'
"I've got this!"
Naruto's eyes widened when a scavenger holding a molotov appeared from behind a building on the ground. He ran out from behind the cover avoiding the explosion.The scavenger took advantage of the this and open fire on him. Naruto jumped off the roof to the ground to avoid the gunfire.
"He's getting away!"
The scavengers seeing run away quickly ran around the building and gave chase.
Lara peeked out from behind a wall and shot a fire arrow at a scavenger that sneak out from behind a building. Her hands didn't stop moving as she shot in rapid succession. It was either a critical hit or an Injury that left them immobilized.
Bang. Bang. Bang
The scavengers opened fire on her but she quickly hide back behind the wall.
"There are too many of them"
"Hey, there he is!"
Off to her left in the distance she was a blonde haired man run between two houses with the scavengers chasing closely behind him.
"Is that Naruto?"
The fires from the explosion started to spread through the small town burning anything it came in contact. Naruto ran between the burning houses unconcerned as the scavengers chased after him. The opened fire on him which he sometimes returned fire but because he was running around and using the houses as cover their aims were off.
'Fuck where the hell is grim?' Naruto thought as he ran through the houses.
"I found him!" A scavenger shouted as he blocked his path with his gun trained on him.
"Shit" Naruto turned around only to see another scavenger blocking his path of retreat.
Hahahaha
"We have you now"
'Fuck'
Bang.
The scavenger in front of him fell to the ground dead before he could take a step. A pool of blood slowly formed around his head
"What the hell was that?! The scavenger aimed his gun at Naruto anxiously. Naruto was also surprised since he had not expected anyone to save him.
"Don't move!"
Bang.
A bullet pierced the scavenger's head knocking him to the gun. His dead body laid unmoving in it own pool of blood.
"What the hell is going on?" Naruto asked his surprise.
Screech.
"That was a clean shot, don't you think?"~ Although Naruto was confused at first, that one sentence was enough for him to connect the dots.
"Roth? that was you?!" Naruto blurted out, surprise and shock mixed in his voice.
"Yes. I just arrived when I saw you being cornered by two of those people."~
"Thank you Roth"
"Don't mention it"~
"Ho..."
"Narutoooo!". A voice called out cutting off whatever he was going to say. Naruto looked up to his right when he heard his name being called from to see Lara waving enthusiastically at him while running towards him.
"Lara? Lara!". Naruto waved back at her as she approached him. Lara caught him to him and what she did next caught him by surprise. She jumped into his arms and held him in a tight hug which shocked him but he managed to return the hug.
"I'm so glad you are okay.
"So am I."
'Seeing you safe and intact was enough of a blessing already.' Naruto thought as the two of them separated from each other.
"It's good that you both are okay."~ Roth interjected.
"Roth?" Lara grabbed the radio out of naruto's hand.
"Yes, Lara. I've just arrived at the town."
"That's great. We can finally meet up and go save Sam and the others now."
"We still need to look for grim." Naruto pointed out.
"Grim is here as well" Lara was visibly surprised as she didn't expect for there to be another person here. Naruto was already a surprise but grim as well.
'Thank God that old fart is still alive.'
"I trust grim can take care of himself. The both of you however need to find your way out of that time."~
Lara nodded and said. "Right. I saw a lock gate leading to the other half of the town on my way here."
"Then you two should head there... and pls be careful."
"Alright."
"We'll be fine."
Naruto disconnected the radio before turning to Lara and asked.
"So which way is it?"
"Follow me."
Lara lead Naruto through the town back the way she came. Along the way Naruto made small talks with Lara and he found out a lot of what she been through and had to experience. It could be considered tough even for him.
It didn't take them long to reach a portcullis with a crank wheel to it left blocking the other half of the town..
"This is it?"
When they approached the portcullis it suddenly lowered and closed. Naruto immediately had a bad feeling when he saw this and as if to confirm it a voice shouted out.
"Move in! Move in!"
"Shit! it's a trap!" Immediately Naruto shouted a scavenger zipline from the top of the gate into roof to not far away followed by a few others.
"Take cover"
The both of them quickly scattered for shelter. Naruto hurriedly reload his smg and opened fire in the scavengers making their way towards the gate with Lara doing the same.
Bang. bang. bang...
"Shit there's two of them and they gave guns!"
"Just keep going, they can't kill all of us!"
Naruto shot a gas cylinder on the ground causing a mini explosion that killed the scavengers hiding nearby.
Boom..
Ahhhhh!
"Fuck! My leg!"
Bang. Bang. Bang...
Lara took out scavengers as well with her pistol. Her accuracy and hit rate are even better than naruto's. She shot a scavenger peeking out from behind a cover in the head. She switched between her guns and bow.
Naruto felt envious when he saw this. While she had four different weapons to use, he only had an SMG.
The gunfight continued for while before the last of the scavengers was taken down. They searched around the town salvaging whatever they could find while also checking to see if anyone was still alive or if they missed anyone. Naruto managed to acquire a hatchet and a few throwing knives.
"That's the last of them"
"I think so. We just need to get this gate opened."
"Let me." Lara handed him her pry ax and he walked up to the crank wheel to turn the wheel using the pry ax as the handle. The gate slowly rise along with each turn of the wheel.
Clank.
Naruto stopped after raising it high enough for them to pass through. He retrieved the pry ax and handed it back to Lara.
"Thanks."
The two of them stood in front of the entrance that leads to the other half of the town.
Sigh.
"Here we go again."
.
Writing this chapter was a little tough and I mean it. Though it was done faster than the last chapter.
There will be plenty more chapters to come and hopefully I'll actually finish the tomb raider as promised.
I don't have much else to say. Just favorite, follow and review.
Until later
Ja ne.