This is the 1st chapter.
I'm still putting Helluva Boss: White Hellhound on hold until the new ones pop up, that way I can work on the other stories along with this one. Also, this story is where a certain Antauri used his old name when his foster father given and live with the Croft Family, but he'll be in for adventure.
So, I don't own the series of Helluva Boss or the game of Tomb Raider
Meeting Endurance
For 15 long years of hiding, Antauri lived with the Croft Family at the Croft Mansion in London, England. What he learned about Richard Croft is that he's an archeologist who's born into the wealthy family, held the title as the 'Lord', his father was either the Duke or the Marquess. He studied archeology at Oxford University, traveling extensively to further his research, eventually earned his PhD and publishing several books. He's quite successful, but his theories often attracted ridicule from detractors. He was married to Amelia de Monray and had a daughter named Lara Croft, who's a year younger than the white hellhound.
Both he and Lara grew up together as siblings after she, her mother, and her father welcomed him with open arms. Antauri and Lara sometimes get into trouble whenever Richard is working on his research, but they usually learn about history from him. He even met Amelia and got to know her, learned that she too had a thing for history and she's artist.
He even learned about her being engaged to be married to the Earl of Farringdon as part of the arranged marriage but broke off after being married to Richard Croft at Luxor, Egypt, which it reminds him of Stolas being engaged to Stella because of the arranged marriage back in Hell. Though, their relationship isn't perfect because of Richards obsession and having the two grew up without the father. Antauri even get to spend some time with Amelia and Lara since Richard continued his research in Tibet, but he even listened to Lara playing the piano while he plays the violin, which he plays it terribly it made them cover their ears from the sound of screeching since he's good at playing the fiddle, but not the violin. Amelia and Lara help him play the violin better.
He then met Conrad Roth, a former Royal Marine, a freelance treasure hunter, and the Captain of the Endurance. His reputation is known for his toughness and competence during his travel. His willingness to bend inconvenient laws restricting traffic in historical artifacts, as well as the faithfulness to his employers made him highly sought-after among discerning collectors. He's a good friend to Richard and accompanied him on over a dozen treasure-hunting expeditions acting as a guide and bodyguard. Both Antauri and Roth got a long pretty well, including Lara, and he even trained him in combat while getting him to enroll in martial arts academy to study Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and Krav Maga.
However, tragedy struck after learning of Amelia died from a plane crashed in Tibet. Richard didn't take it very well and set out to find the body, which he was able to find his wife's body along with the hidden letters from her to him, Lara, and Antarui. He was devastated by the loss of his wife, and began researching rituals for resurrection which the white hellhound didn't like the idea because it'll break the laws of Heaven and Hell, and he knows that this isn't what Amelia would want. But thankfully, the ritual has failed and both Richard and Roth had Amelia interred in the Croft Family Crypt in an elaborate sarcophagus.
But at the time, Richard is doing some research about immortality at the secret lab which made Antauri very worried about it, wishing there's a way to stop him. Roth can tell that he was worrying about Richard, couldn't blame him for trying to get him to stop and try to be the father for his daughter and adopted son. They even grew closer, who Roth began to consider himself as a father-figure to the two, and Richard would often become so wrapped up in his research he ended up neglecting them. On one occasion, Lara came to Roth and Antauri with a piece of Jade which she had unearthed at the dig. Seeing the joy the piece brought to her, Roth took one of his shoelaces and tied the pendant around her neck. Whenever they were out, some thugs would try to catch Lara for ransom, and Antauri put the skills to the test after turning himself into a hellhound to track them down at the warehouse and beating them down, saving Lara, who became shocked of his true form.
He began explaining to Roth and Lara that was actually a hellhound from Hell, being abused by his foster father after the death of his parents, living with the I.M.P., killing people who committed a crime, helping Charlie make the Hazbin Hotel a better place for sinners, and been on a run because of Andrealphus looking for him after Stolas lost his royal status. Lara and Roth start to understand why he kept his identity hidden and never said anything to Richard, which he'll get the wrong ideas about bringing his wife back and knows that there will be consequences if the laws of Heaven and Hell is broken. Antauri even told them that Hell is a place, which Roth and Lara believes him and keeps it a secret.
After the death of Richard Croft, Roth became their legal guardians, teaching them the practical skills like climbing, navigation, and other survival skills which it's unusual for Lara. However, with Roth's job kept him away for extended periods of time, Antauri decided to watch over Lara after promising Amelia and Richard since their bond is strong. They even enrolled at the University College London, which required to pay the intuition and rent by working multiple jobs. Antauri worked as a bouncer and a bounty hunter at the bar since it's a fitting job for him when it comes to keep the people in check and not getting out of line, but whenever he has free time, he uses the buildings and streets as his playground to keep up his parkour while practicing martial arts, beating a punching bag, and using guns to keep his precision sharp. Lara, however, spend her time with her adopted brother by doing morning workout while kept her head in books to keep her level-headed, grounded, and down-to-earth than she might otherwise been. They sometimes spar each other in order for her to defend herself in combat while keeping up with him in parkour.
In Hell, I.M.P. HQ, Blitzo and the others kept on working on assassination, but things have never been the same since Antauri left Hell. Blitzo informed Millie, Moxxie, and Loona about the white hellhound leaving Hell and hide in the human world. Millie and Loona didn't take it very well and it left them heartbroken, same can be said with Moxxie. However, they understand why Antauri is on the run and stayed hidden since Andrealphus' out there looking for the white hellhound. Stolas even explains to Stella, Octavia, Mrs. Mayberry, Queen Bee, Asmodeus, and Fizzarolli about Antauri.
Stella and Octavia felt devastated for him to leave Hell, heartbroken and sad for Antauri, but they were relieved that he was able to find a home to live. However, they wished they could stop Andrealphus, but with that arrogant snowbird on dead set on looking him, there's no stopping him. Queen Bee isn't any better, she was left crying and Vortex tried his best to comfort her. Asmodeus is outraged after learning about Andrealphus looking for Antauri and kill him, but glad that the white hellhound left Hell. Verosika and her posse felt sad for Antauri to leave Hell, they even searched for him in the human since they've been there plenty of times and was able to find him with Richard, Amelia, and Lara. They were glad that Antauri found a new family and a new home.
They explain that they found Antauri living with the Croft Family, which Stolas knows very well about Richard being a well-known archeologist during his travels and even writing several books about his previous experiences of expedition. Stella and Octavia were able to conjure magic to watch over Antauri, and so far, they were happy to find him and watched him grow with Lara and Roth.
"Boy, he sure has grown." Moxxie said, smiling at the fully grown Antauri.
"Look at him, loving and caring brother to Lara." Verosika adds. "He's even quite the stud."
"He graduated, too." Octavia said with a smile, seeing Lara and Antauri graduated at the university.
"Of course." Mrs. Mayberry agrees. "He got the better education."
"It's nice that he's all big now, I just hope he didn't forget about us." Millie said sadly when the phone was heard as Blitzo pulls it out.
"Yeah, I.M.P. We kill those who commits a sin or who fucked you over." Blitzo greets.
"Haha, you haven't changed since I left Hell, Blitz." The voice of Antauri told him with chuckle.
It got Blitzo widen his eyes along with the others who heard his voice. Couldn't believe it, Millie rushed to Blitzo and grabbing his phone.
"Antauri...is it really you?" Millie asks when Loona, Octavia, and Stella approached her as the face of an adult Antauri revealed.
Antauri is now 22 years old. His is a young man with unruly white hair that reaches down to his shoulder, tied into a ponytail, and blue eyes. He has a lean muscular toned appearance and is roughly 6' 1" tall. He wears black sleeveless shirt under a denim sleeveless jacket, with black cargo pants, and black combat boots. He also wore a black fingerless gloves and survival paracord wristband.
"Yeah, it's me. It's been a long time, Millie." Antauri answered, making their eyes widen.
Octavia and Stella's eyes were filled in tears, but Millie's eyes had stars.
"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHEEHEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" Millie squealed loudly which made them covered their ears.
"Geez, Mills. Couldn't you be anymore louder? You've almost making my ears bleed!" Antauri shouts, wincing while rubbing his ears.
"Hehe, sorry. I just couldn't help it." Millie told him. "I'm just glad to see you, though I wish it could be in person. But look at you, all grown up."
Antauri chuckled, understands why they want to see him in person. Octavia then took the phone.
"So...how's your life growing up?" Octavia asks, wiping tears from her eyes. "You know..."
"It's been great, but some ups and downs in London while help Roth taking care of Lara." Antauri told her.
"Sounds like it sucks without a parent." Octavia states.
"It is, and without her father after what happen to him, we don't know who to turn to and Amelia's family still tried to get a hold of the Croft Estate. I even tried to get Lara to claim the manor, but she's not taking any interest or signing it over to her uncle." Antauri explains. "That old codger is planning something and I don't think it's good."
They can tell of Antauri not liking Atlas or his family since they've been trying to get a hold of the Croft Estate, and he and Lara are trying to prevent that from happen because of Richard left them a home, but neither of them could find the will for the ownership nor where Amelia is put to rest.
"Did you get a chance to find the will?" Stella asks.
"No, but I don't think there's enough time to do that. We're going out for the expedition." Antauri answered which made Stolas curious.
"And where are you be heading?" Stolas inquires. "I bet it'll be quite an adventure?"
"Somewhere called Yamatai. An ancient kingdom was once ruled by a matriarch, the Sun Queen, Himiko." Antauri answered, making Stolas widens his eyes in dread.
"What did you say? You said 'Yamatai'? As in the lost kingdom that's been held at the Dragon's Triangle near Japan?" Stolas asks when they heard another voice.
"Carl! We gotta go! We've got Yamatai to get to!"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming! Keep your shirt on! Fucking Twitman..." Antauri shouts back in annoyance, then turns to the phone. "Sorry guys, I gotta go. I'll tell you about it when I get back."
And with that, he hangs up and it got Stolas in a state of horror, learning that Antauri is go on to his first expedition with someone, which will lead him to danger. Stolas turns to Stella and Octavia.
"I need to get to the library at the mansion, I must find out about the Yamatai he spoke of." Stolas said seriously. "I'm afraid him and his crew are in grave danger."
At the Endurance ship, Antauri (Carl) is with a group of explorers on an expedition to the Dragon's Triangle just off of Japan to discover the lost kingdom of Yamatai and all its secrets. At least, that's what the group was hoping for, especially Lara. He knows that Lara determined and passionate about the expedition, but stubborn as hell for the most part. She was glad to have her adopted brother to tag along. Antauri was glad that he done his homework on all of the individuals attending the expedition before heading out.
First is Samantha 'Sam' Nishimura, a filmmaker and she became best friends with Lara and Antauri. He learned that she's Japanese and Portuguese that coming from her parents and heritage. Though, she's never been on good terms with her parents, due to her being a rebel and gaining the attention of being a wild child. Because of this, she's been expelled from many schools. She also attended the UCL, choosing to study film, specializing in documentary film making and cinematography. She also caused Lara to become less introverted by taking her to nightclubs while Antauri brings them home after the party, after beating up some people who tried to take advantage of the two. They've also embarked on at least one backpacking trip, going to locales such at Mt. Kilimanjaro, Bulgaria, and Great Wall of China.
Jonah Maiava, born in New Zealand and grew up in Hawaii with his grandmother. He also passed on knowledge and traditions is a practice normal in Polynesian families. He was once a soldier in the New Zealand Army because of his strength and almost supernatural ability to sense danger, made him a popular member of his unit. He also cooks. But after his discharge from the military, he was working as a chef in the cafe in Ngāpuhi, New Zealand.
Joslin Reyes, grew up in the rough streets in Queens, New York along with her sister and her brother. She was once a law enforcer after the crossfire with several drug dealers, lost her partner, and the drug dealers won the case. Joslin left the force, took the job working in her brother's carriage. She and Roth had a bad encounter at the bar, but slowly grew into a casual romance, which resulted on having a daughter named Alisha.
Alex Weiss is an electrician and a hacker. He grew up alongside with Kaz and his father, and learned to become a hacker at the age of 9. As an adult, he made a living through legally questionable means, though only what he considered a 'victimless crime'.
Angus 'Grim' Grimaldi, born and grew up in Glasgow, Scotland with his twin brother and his sister. As a child, he always felt a kinship with water and often built makeshift boats out of junk and taught himself to sail on the river, began to prefer life at sea than on land. He has sailed all the oceans of the world, which included stints working for the Merchant Navy where he met Roth and became a helmsman.
James Whitman, an archeologist/anthropologist and TV personal. He studied at Harvard and Cambridge University, 30 years experience and two PhDs, one of which if the East Asian history, and taught many schools from around the world. He made a career for the transition from teaching to presenting television, having his own TV series called, 'Whitman's World'. However, with his show being canceled and the failing marriage, Whitman joined the expedition as a last effort to try and salvage his career and fortune.
He knows something was off about Whitman, making him wary of him while keeping his guard up. He's watching Sam filming Jonah teach Dr. Twitman how to cut a fish, which in his opinion, this guy couldn't even use a knife properly and ending up cutting himself. Lara was also filming with the camera.
"Alright, can we take B-roll please?" Sam suggested as Lara turns the camera to her. "Thank you."
She then turns to the two gentlemen.
"Dr. James Whitman, filler 15, take 3. And action!" Sam said as the film rolls.
"Okay, now take a firm grip, then slice him down the belly like this." Jonah told him, shows him by cutting the fish.
James then tries it, but ended up cutting himself and caused him to drop the fish and the knife at the table.
"Good lord, cut! Cut! Cut!" James snapped, slamming his hands at the table and stormed around the corner. "Cut!"
Sam follows him to cool down, much to his annoyance when he watches Twitman walking out.
'Jesus, what a stuck-up prick.' Antauri (Carl) mentally thought, feeling sorry for Jonah, he walked over and picked the fish Whitman had been holding, took the knife beside it, and turned to Jonah.
"So, is it like this?" Antauri (Carl) asks while perfectly executed the cut Jonah had been trying to demonstrate.
"Yes. That's exactly how it's done." Jonah praised, when Antauri stabs the knife to the table.
"I'm sorry for you." Antauri (Carl) said. "That doctor's a moron when it comes to anything but archeology. He wouldn't last 5 minutes in the wild."
"But the Little Bird looks up to him." Jonah told him with a chuckle and nodded, causing Antauri (Carl) to snicker. "So, we must tolerate him for her."
"Glad the rest of you are putting up with his bullshit because of her. I seem to be the only one who doesn't." Antauri (Carl) remarked with grimace.
"Maybe you just need time to put up with him." Jonah points out. "Honestly, I think it's interesting. A bouncer on an archeology expedition? What could be a reason?"
"Because of her, given me that puppy look on her eyes and I fell for it. Hook, line, and sinker." Antauri (Carl) answered which made Jonah chuckled. "And here I am, on the expedition for a search for an island known as Yamatai. I don't know if it's either gutsy or stupid."
"Probably both." Jonah said. "Try not to let it bother you too much, Carl. You should go and visit with the others. We'll all gather in a few hours for dinner. I'm serving up my famous fish stew!"
Antauri (Carl) smiled and did as Jonah suggested, which to him, he's nice enough. He then soon left and James was able to cool off and Sam films again while Jonah teaches him to cut the fish. Soon, he was encountered by Roth.
"Ah, Carl, nice of you join." Roth said with a smile. "Seem you're able to meet my crew."
"Yeah, and I know a certain Twitman tried something new, ending up cutting himself and never learned about something in the kitchen." Antauri (Carl) replied which made Roth chuckled a bit. "He may have the knack on archeology, but he's just an idiot who couldn't even handle himself."
"Be that as it may, but we just have to put up with him since Lara was invited by him as his research assistant." Roth said. "And you're here, she wanted you to come for the expedition. But I ask Jonah to keep an eye on him, and by the looks of it, you're giving him a hand."
"Guess being a bouncer has its perks after learning about his show being cancelled." Antauri (Carl) said.
"I can tell, and Lara still doing her search about Yamatai. She's got great instincts, like her father." Roth told him. "I remember the time when you told me you're a hellhound tracking down Lara and being those thugs to a bloody pulp."
"Hey, these guys had it coming. It's not the first time taking them down." Antauri (Carl) remarked with a chuckle.
"You've got great instincts, lad. You and Lara just have to trust them." Roth said. "While you two had different goals, but you just have to trust each other and work together."
Antauri (Carl) knows that Roth is right. Ever since his time in Hell, working with I.M.P., he used to work with them in order to kill people who committed a sin and murder, but after these years of hiding from Andrealphus, he mostly works alone on hunting people down and turning them over to the police to earn money. He then nods and walks away, give it some time to think.
Later, everyone is gathered in the mess hall for dinner. The stew was good, Antauri (Carl) had to give Jonah props, and he's overhearing both Roth and Grim cheer for opposing team football teams, in US' case soccer, on the radio. He then turns his head to Whitman talking to Lara.
"How can you suggest I'm not serious about this expedition, Lara?" Whitman questions. "It's not just Sam's family funding us, I've put my savings on the line too."
"We've got some kind of stake at this." Reyes points out with a ponder. "The funding won't last forever, Whitman."
"That's precisely why we should push East, not West." Lara told him.
"No one believe Yama...No one believes Yamatai's that far East." Whitman argued. "The books simply don't support it!"
"Well, whoever wrote those books never found Yamatai." Sam told him, going through the book.
"I've talked to Roth about this." Lara adds, going through the map. "There's no point in following in other people's footsteps, Dr. Whitman."
Antauri (Carl) can tell Lara have done her own research about Yamatai, seeing how determined she wanted to go and how stubborn she is. However, Whitman shook his head, not convinced about it.
"I refuse to bet my reputation on your hunch!" Whitman said, points himself. "I'm the lead archeologist here."
'Yeah right...' Antauri (Carl) mentally thought with a scoff.
"An' when were you last in the field without a TV crew behind you?" Grim questions with Scottish accent.
"I've got 30 years experience, 2 PhDs, one in East Asian history." Whitman retorted, turning to him. "So, why don't you stick to boats, Mr. Grim?"
"Why don't you shut up, turn your tail, and stay out of our business, Twitman?" Antauri (Carl) remarked in annoyance, making Reyes, Alex, and Roth stifled their laughter while Lara looks at him with disapproving frown.
"Well, let's hear your opinion, Carl." Roth suggested which surprised him a bit, but he meandered over the table.
"He doesn't know a thing about archeology! He shouldn't be even be here! What would he know about any of this!" Whitman objected, but was silent as Antauri (Carl) pinned him with a fierce glare.
"Maybe I don't know much about this, but I'm pretty good at tracking bounties and gather information since I've taken my time on reading the legends about Yamatai. We're approximately here, correct?" Antauri (Carl) asked, indicating a portion of the map with his finger.
Roth nodded in confirmation, next to him as he looked back at the map.
"Well, judging by what information we have, Yamatai should be somewhere at the Dragon's Triangle near in Japan. So, Lara has a point, we need to turn and head towards the heart." Antauri (Carl) suggested, causing Whitman away with a huff while Roth nodded, taking his evaluation into consideration. "There's no option but to head that direction since no one else has ever made the discovery. Let's get this ship turned in the right direction."
An hour later, with the ship heading its direction, Antauri (Carl) stood on the main deck, leaning on the rail and watching the sun sinking down to the horizon while thinking about his family and friends in Hell. He could hear the soft murmurings coming from Lara and Roth, which he paid no mind and decided not to get into their business. The murmuring stopped, and then he heard a distant footsteps approaching him. He didn't turn around until a soft voice spoke up behind him.
"Why do you have to talk bad with Dr. Whitman?" Lara asks, crossing her arms.
Antauri (Carl) turned and found her in a few feet away.
"I ask of you to put up with him, and yet you're being rude to him. Why speaking with such vulgar?" Lara added.
"I don't trust that prick, considering he did something that involves a sin and got a stick up his ass." Antauri told her. "Look, Lara, it's not the first time holding first impressions against people. I've had opinions towards me on first meetings. Some were okay, others not so much. And I can tell a sinner when I see it, I'm a hellhound, remember?"
Lara sighs since her adopted brother made a valid point about the people he usually met.
"Okay, I'll give you that, but that's just no excuse the way you talk to him like that." Lara argued.
"Which makes me wonder why he came along in the first place." Antauri said, crossed his arms with narrowed eyes. "I've been keeping an eye on him since Roth and me are suspicious of him."
Lara knows that he was right about Twitman, but they're not the only ones who's finding him suspicious.
"But right now, we'll most likely be facing a rugged terrain and feral wild animals. I may know about archeology, but I've got several degrees of tracking and survival tactics under my belt. The least I can do is keep you and your crew alive. And if your hunch does that, then I'll put my cards on the table, too." Antauri explains while changing the subject. "But Lara, you need to understand this, there's more to people than meets the eye. I've seen things, experienced things. There were people who are good, but has dark secrets on the inside, there are people who are victims, and there are people who committed a crime that involves a sin. I even have to kill people who commits a sin, while helping sinners redeem themselves when I was younger, but I have to restrain myself on killing since I've got jobs to make a living. But I have my own feelings about this, a feeling that something is going to go wrong once we head for the Dragon's Triangle and get to Yamatai. And Lara, you better hope we get out alive when we get there."
By the time the sun is setting, Antauri decided to go down to his cabin and call it for the night. Lara watched him go, thinking silently about everything he's said. Lara then prays, hoping that it doesn't happen to any of them.
That's it for the 1st chapter.
It's short, but it's where his first adventure begins.