This is the 11th chapter. I don't own the series of Helluva Boss or the game of Tomb Raider.
Master of Luis: I hate to say this, but after Hoshi killed herself in using 'Seppuku', she ends up in Hell.
Shanty Town
After they made a bad crash into the woods, Lara reopened her wound from her side and they saw the ancient Japanese city and the palace. They wandered into the clutter of storage containment units, but when Lara was about to catch the edge after the leap, she grunted in pain and forcefully letting go. She slides down the slope and Antauri along with three imps catching up to her. Her side injury is irritating her as she leans down to catch her breath. Antauri and the three imps spotted a rescue helicopter among the many units.
"Hm, might be some first-aid kit there." Moxxie said with his narrowed eyes as Antauri held Lara up by the arm.
The white hellhound got a better idea on how to travel while she's in this condition.
"Lara, hop on my back." Antauri suggested, knelt down in front of her. "We can move around faster that way. You, Blitz, Moxxie, and Millie are in charge of keeping the guards off our backs, though."
Lara and the three imps nodded as they get situated, she gave a little hop and he hauled himself to stand with her on his back. They then studied the area of their current location, they thought they're at a dead end.
"There!" Lara gasped, pointed to a small opening that looked like a flooded tunnel.
Nodding, they went into it and eased them inside, not once letting go of Lara.
"Ugh! The smell!" Lara groaned in disgust while Antauri, Blitzo, Moxxie, and Mille bit back a gag.
"Shit, it smells like piss and shit!" Blitzo grunted which the smell was absolutely nasty, but they then here a conversation as they stay still while holding their breath.
"What's going on?"
"We caught a prisoner hiding in the chop shop. The Somalians putting the screws on him now."
"What about the other one?"
"No, nothing. Gotta keep looking."
"Aliright, let's check around the chopper."
They waded through the area quickly, wanting to get out before any of them threw up. But then, they heard a Somalian from somewhere torturing one of the survivors from Endurance.
"Where's the old man?"
"I don't know what you're talking about...please..."
"You are lying...I know you escaped with him."
"Please...I...don't...I...don't..."
"Maybe I need to loosen your tongue."
"Aah! Aagh!"
"Tell me! Tell me where he is!"
The only response was the gurgling of the prisoner choking on his blood. A few moments later, the dead body dropped to their area, not far from them. It appeared his tongue was cut out.
"Damn." Millie mumbled, picking up the pace before hearing more conversation from the guards.
"Alright, hey, show's over. Get back to your post."
When they did reach outside, they quietly hid behind on one those crates while listening.
"What the hell's going on in there?"
"The Somalian. He lost his temper."
"Again? Any sign of the old man?"
"Nope. He's a tough bastard, but he won't get far."
"What about the other ones?"
"We got 'em locked up in the caves."
'Shit! They're talking about Reyes and the others.' Antauri mentally thought, feeling worried which Millie and Moxxie can tell what he's talking about.
"Not the time, Antauri. We need you focusing on taking those dipshits down." Blitzo said with a frown, pulling out his flintlock.
"I don't understand...Why's Father Mathias keeping them alive?"
"Because of the girl. They were trying to rescue her. Mathias might want to keep them alive as leverage."
'Shit!' Millie, Moxxie, Blitzo, and Antauri mentally exclaims, knew who they're talking about.
"Goddamn, I hope she's the one. We've been waiting so long."
"We'll know soon enough. Ceremonies at sunset"
With enough information of Sam still held captive and Reyes, Jonah, and Alex are captured inside of the cave, they decided to clean house. Lara fires her bow at the guard above them, both Millie and Moxxie advanced further and killing two of the guards. The third guard was about to ready his weapon when Blitzo fires his flintlock to the head, killing him. The fourth charges after them, swinging his axe and Millie dodged while countering him by impaling him in the head with her knife and Lara kills the fifth one with her bow.
After getting the loot from the bodies, they then pressed on as they went down the stairs, balancing themselves with the wooden plank. They then leap into the wooden platforms, but the guards heard the gasp as they ready their weapons to investigate. Blitzo and Millie quietly killed them with their knives, but the third guard was about to fire which Moxxie fires his pistol to the head.
Soon as they made their way to the helicopter, Antauri put Lara down and she pulled the back open with the rope arrow. Going inside, Antauri ripped open the medical box, but to his dismay, there's nothing in it that could help Lara.
"Shit!" Antauri yelled, punching the wall beside it.
Looking around, he saw that Lara, Millie, Blitzo, and Moxxie had joined him in the helicopter, rifling through the crates. It seemed there's nothing in the chopper that would help. Then, she went to the front where the dead pilot was still strapped in.
"Sorry..." Lara said with a pant, searching through his pockets and a moment later, she pulled away with a Zippo lighter in her hand.
Antauri helped her sit down and lean against the wall, holding her by the shoulders. He and three imps knew what she intended to do and it would be extremely painful, better than getting stitches. She readied an arrow and took a few deep breaths to brace herself, or attempt to say the least.
Then, she thrusted the heated arrowhead into her side wound, Antauri swiftly covering her mouth with his free hand while Millie and Moxxie holds her down, gritting their teeth as they listened to her muffled cries. After a moment, he pulled his hand away while Millie and Moxxie lets her go. She cried and gasped for a few more moments with him removing the hand from her shoulders to rub her back soothingly. Soon enough, she calmed down.
They left the chopper with the lighter now attached to Lara's bow, giving them the use of 'fire arrows'. Seeing a nearby building on fire, she reached for her radio.
"Roth, can you hear me?" Lara asks, but there's silence on the radio. "Roth?"
"Lara! Antauri! Millie! Moxxie! Blitzo! Are you five okay?"
Antauri studied her for a moment. She nodded to him and answered Roth as well.
"We're fine." Lara said.
"You don't sound fine to me."
"We're fine for the most part, Roth." Antauri replied this time.
"Where are you five?"
"We're in some kind of shanty town, near the fortified palace." Lara answered.
"We're still coming down the hill. How did you get there so fast?"
"Long fucking story." Blitzo answered.
"We can see the town from here. Are you guys near that large gate?"
"We're heading towards it." Antauri said when the sound of Solarii was heard.
"It's the outsiders!"
"Ah, shit/Oh, fuck me!" Antauri and Blitzo growled.
"There!"
"Fire! Fire!"
After the signal flare was fired, the Solarii began to get ready their weapons while Lara, Antauri, and three imps readied theirs. Lara fires her fire arrow at the oil puddle, causing an explosion and killing three guards which made the remaining ones shocked.
"Holy shit!"
"I got her!"
"They're up by the chopper!"
Antauri fires his pistol at the guard next to the rails in the head. Blitzo turned and noticed three more heading the opposite direction, which made him noticed a barrel next to them.
"Hey, move carefully, she's using fire!"
"She's not the only one, bitch!" Blitzo said with a shit-eating grin as he fires his gun, causing the barrel to explode and killing three guards.
"Holy shit!"
Millie then fires her gun at the molotov, making the guard burned himself and died in agonizing pain.
"Alright, get around...we can catch them! Go in from the side!"
"Highly unlikely." Moxxie muttered, then fires his rifle at the guard from the rope, killing him and made him crashed to the ground along by firing the barrel after noticing some more guards, exploded and killing them.
Millie covers them by throwing her knife at the guard in the head, then rushing after the other after pulling her knife and then lunges, impaling him in the head. She then brings out her axe, rushing after the two and decapitating them by slicing their heads clean. Antauri fires his pistol at the guard in the head, then kills two more.
"Just get in there, don't give them time to pick you off!"
"Too late, bitch!" Blitzo said as Millie then finishes the last two by slicing their limps and their heads while he fires his pistol at the third one by the rope in the head. "You missed one, Mills."
"I'm beginning to serious think these guys are complete idiots." Moxxie said, annoyed as they loot the bodies which they're able to find the materials and ammo.
They decided to take a break by making camp. Antauri then upgraded his trench shotgun with a full choke that adds an alternate firing mode which concentrates the cone pellets and gives them longer range, polished bolt that improves firing rates, and a padded grip that helps steady the weapon for reducing weapon kick.
Then, they look around in multiple buildings for either the materials, ammo, or anything. Antauri fires his trench shotgun at the barricade and noticed an artifact that looks like a decorative inro.
"In Edo Japan, traditional men's garments had no pockets. Inro were miniature containers used to hold personal effects, like an ancient wallet." Antauri muttered.
On Blitzo's side, he scrambled up into the metallic wall and climbs onto the building. He then ran into the other building, jumps up on the other building and then scrambling up the wall while climbing up. He then noticed a siren noise maker, then destroys it.
"Hmph, piece of cake." Blitzo said with a proud smirk as Lara approached him.
"But we still need to find the direction to the gate." Lara told him, fires a rope arrow and then attached it to the pole. "You coming?"
"Right behind you, Lara." Blitzo replied as they zipline down to the other building.
They then leap down to another, went inside when they noticed a journal.
"What do you think?" Blitzo inquires, raising his eyebrow with curiosity.
"Let's see." Lara said, grabs it and began reading it.
This journal was about the survivors are over hundreds and started working on clearing out the old palace and soon construction will begin on a city around the base of the mountain. The Japanese built a cargo hauling system back at WW2 and it got them running again. Mathias claims we're building in honor of Himiko, but it was obvious that he's just stalling for time because the project was just a distraction. Even with rituals, storms, and killing each other, it's a matter of time before they turn against him.
"Holy shit, these guys are getting desperate." Blitzo said. "No wonder those dipshits are bat-shit crazy."
"Yes, but it won't surprise Antauri if he's reading it." Lara agrees.
They then pressed on after finding the materials, down to the ground and noticed another journal.
Lara then reads it, which happens to be Grim's diary. It tells her about Grim not having a quiet retirement after this mess in Yamatai. When he finds Roth on this island, the Scotsman would punch him right in the mouth for bringing them here. And then, they'll kill every last one of the Solarii, like the old times minus Richard Croft. If he's alive, he'd want to study the Solarii, but hoping Lara and a certain white hellhound knows better and finds a good place to hide because they're dangerous.
"Well, Grim is right about one thing, my father would want to study them." Lara said with a chuckle.
"Yeah, and punch Roth for bringing them here while he's at it." Blitzo adds with a smirk.
"What was that about punching Roth?" The voice of Antauri asks, fires his shotgun at the barricade. "Who's punching him?"
"Nobody, just Grim thinking about punching Roth in the mouth." Lara told him which made him chuckle a bit.
"Sounds about right, considering he's wanting to retire." Antauri agrees while Moxxie and Millie revealed themselves.
"Wait, what?" Moxxie asks when Lara shows them a diary as he and Millie reads it, which made them laugh a little about Grim planning to punch Roth and kill every last Solarii. "Well, that sounds right."
"I know." Antauri agrees. "Come on, let's keep moving."
Pressed on, Antauri fires the barricade while Lara and three imps catches up to him. They then saw some more Solarii heading their way, but Antauri fires his pistol, killing the first guard while Lara burned the other with her fire arrow. Millie swings her axe right at the third guard in the legs and then sliced him in half. They then about to advance when three more revealed themselves, about to ready their weapons when Blitzo made a quick work by firing his pistol at the barrel, causing it to explode and killing them.
"This is ridiculous! These guys couldn't even hit the other side of the barn!" Millie said, grew very annoyed of the Solarii. "Are they complete idiots or what?!"
They already know the answer, decided to press on when Blitzo tosses an artifact which Lara was able to catch it.
"Found it while you guys ask about those fucking morons." Blitzo said as he leaps down to the ground. "So, what do you made of this one?"
"This one is called Metal Inro. This usually lacquered wood, but this one's made of brass. Probably dates from the 19th century." Lara explains, noticing the smell from the inside of the inro. "The inside of the inro smells like tobacco. Perhaps this was used as an ancient cigarette case."
"And I also got another journal about the Solarii, mostly Mathias." Blitzo adds, showing the journal to them.
Antauri then grabs it and start reading it. This journal was about Mathias has them look for physically strong men for the cult, but neither of them are smart. They must be willing to take orders and work, but any who question, or resist are immediately killed. And the women, Mathias decided their fate, most are sacrificed to the dark waters, but some are chosen for the ritual. They put up the insane ceremony, some are starting to believe it. Something clearly controls the storm around the island and never letting them leave. Mathias claims to speak to the Sun Queen.
"Seems he was looking for someone strong, but we all know they're not the sharpest knife in the drawer." Antauri said which they agreed with him. "And more insane bullshit about take orders or die if they ask or resist."
"And...what of Sam?" Lara asks with worry.
"Women are mostly sacrificed, curtsy of Mathias because of the ceremony." Antauri told her. "And we know the rest about Himiko controlling the storm."
"Damn! Sounds like survival of the fittest." Millie states with a frown.
"That's what it sounds like." Antauri agrees with a nod. "But we need to head for the gates."
They then pressed on, climbing up on the wall and get to the balcony as Lara fires her rope arrow and attaching to the wooden pole. They zipline down to the other building, then splits up again to look for the directions for the gate. Antauri and Blitzo climbs on the building and went inside when they noticed an artifact.
"This is a Jade Horse, might be from the Yuan Dynasty or from Kublai Khan's lost fleet." Antauri muttered, but noticed it's a fake. "Damn, it's fake. 'Made in China'. Damn cheapskates."
"I'll take it if you don't want it." Blitzo said happily, gesturing his hands and wanting the Jade Horse for his collections.
"Knock yourself out." Antauri said with a sigh, tosses it to Blitzo.
"Wooo, now that'll add to my horse collection!" Blitzo said in delight.
The gunfire was heard coming from a few yards away as Blitzo and Antauri sprint their way to the source, which it didn't take long to see the Solarii surrounding them as they help them by firing their arsenals at the guards, killing them from behind while Lara and the two imps kills them from the front. After the quick fight, they approached Antauri and Blitzo.
"These guys just don't know when to quit." Blitzo said. "Far as I know, this is too easy."
"Well, sir, we found something before we were ambushed." Moxxie told him as Lara shows them the Jade Water Buffalo.
"This is a Jade Water Buffalo, a Ming Dynasty jade figurine, this one looks genuine." Lara informed them.
"All I found was a Jade Horse, it's fake made in China." Antauri told them which made them chuckle a little.
Lara then fires the rope arrow at the wooden debris, pulls it out and causing it to break apart. Lara went into the hole, lighting the torch and leading the way while Antauri and three imps follows her. After few minutes inside of the tunnel, they balance themselves by getting across at the wooden plank, gathering materials, climbing down the ladder, drop down to the ground, and manage to discover a tomb known as 'Well of Tears'.
They notice a pulley above them along with a platform, which they had an idea as Blitzo and Antauri work together by throwing three gas canteens at the platform. Millie grabs hold of the up while the platform descends, and she goes up. It's enough for her to leap off the platform and noticed a chest as she opens it, making her gasp in awe as she takes the picture with her phone.
"Find anything?" Lara asks, earned her attention.
"Yeah, a statue of Himiko and the candles were lighting up." Millie answered as she ziplined down to them. "If I have to guess, Solarii were there."
"You might be right, the Solarii defile these ancient ruins...but also worship here. And these statues you've mentioned, this was once a sacred place."
They then take a break by making camp in the tomb. However, the submachine gun is being modified thanks to the materials along with an upgrade called barrel shroud, a material that improves gun handling for increased damage. Then, they left the tomb and decided to head for the large gate since they need to meet up Roth and find the others.
"Be careful." Antauri warns them. "The gate may be there, but this is way too easy. I know something's about to happen here."
And sure enough as they get close to the gate, it slammed shut and more Solarii ambushed them.
"Move in! Move in!"
The Solarii are ziplining down to the ground and charging after them as they readied their weapons.
"Oh, give me a fucking break!" Blitzo complains, now very annoyed. "How many more of those dipshits have to die before they realize they couldn't stop us?!"
"They're trapped! Surround them! There's nowhere else for them to go!"
"Are they fucking serious?" Moxxie rhetorically asks in annoyance. "Either they're complete idiots or they think we are! Does it really look like we're 'trapped'?!"
"Not the time, honey. We've got more fuckers to kill!" Millie told her husband.
Lara fires her arrow at the first one in the head and two of them are charging after them, but Blitzo did a double tap with his pistol, killing them. Antauri swipes the Solarii in the face with his claws and fires his pistol, killing him.
"Holy shit!"
Millie fires her pistol at the barrel, making it exploded and killing the armored guard.
"Rush them! They're just five people!"
"That five people is kicking out ass!"
"And we're gonna keep at it, ya fucking prude!" Blitzo shouts, flipping them off after killing two more Solarii.
"Just keep at it, alright!? They can't stop us all!"
"Alright, get around...we can catch them! Go in from the side!"
Then, Lara starts firing her machine gun at the two while Antauri kills off an armored Solarii with his trench shotgun. The explosion was heard from the side.
"Let's do this, brothers!"
Moxxie then fires his own machine gun, killing off three more. Blitzo fires his pistol at the final one in the head.
After they dealt the guards, they looted the bodies to get some more ammo and materials they can find. Lara set the beam holding the gate on fire, then Antauri used an axe to crank it open. Past the gate, they set up camp to take a breather.
"Man, these guys couldn't even shut the hell up!" Blitzo said with a frown. "It's like we're dealing a bunch of chucklefucks in black ties!"
"You mean the agents?" Lara asks, but the sound was heard from a far distance.
"Stop the old man! He's getting away!"
Looking up where the shouts came from, they saw two Solarii in the distance, chasing something.
"What's going on?" Lara asks softly.
"From the sounds of it, escaped prisoners." Antauri replied. "We should rescue any we happen to come across."
And with that, they left camp to move forward and find the survivors.
That's for the chapter. Here are the journals.
Toil and Distraction
There are over a hundred of us now. We've started work clearing out the old palace and soon construction will begin on a city around the base of the mountain. The Japanese built a cargo hauling system here years ago that we've gotten up and running again. Mathias claims we're building in honor of the Sun Queen, like some ancient Egyptian monument. But it's obvious what's going on here. Mathias is stalling for time. This massive project is just to keep them distracted. Even with the rituals and storms and rampant killing, it's only a matter of time before they turn against him. And when they do, I'll be ready to take control.
Grim: The Good Old Days
Well, this is a right fucking mess. So much for a quiet retirement. If I find Roth somewhere on this goddamned island, I'm going to punch him square in the mouth for bringing us here. And then...then the two of us will kill every last one of these crazed sons of bitches. It'll be just like the old days...Minus old Dicky Croft. If he was alive, he'd want to study these bastards. Some kinna twisted religious cult, he'd find 'em 'fascinatin'. I hope his daughter knows better and finds a good place to hide. Knowing that strong lad, he's got better instincts on fightin' these bastards and find us. These nutjobs are dangerous. And I worry about those kids. Alex, Sam...this place will eat them alive!
Survival of the Fittest
Mathias has us look for physically strong men for the brotherhood...but none too smart. They must be willing to take orders and work. Any who question or resist are immediately killed. And the women...Mathias decides their fate. Most are sacrificed to the dark walkers...but some are chosen for the ritual. We put up with the insane ceremony. Some brothers are even starting to believe in it. Something clearly controls the storms around this cursed island and it will never let us leave. Father Mathias claims to speak it to...her. This Sun Queen spirit, or whatever it is. I don't know want to believe. I'm just doing what I can to survive.