Hey there! After a very long time, I'm back! I apologize for disappearing since I was very busy with my own life and didn't have the inspiration to keep working on the story but for some reason, thanks to playing some Shadow of The Tomb Raider, I finally had the energy to return. Yes, it's this chapter is pretty short compared to the others but it's quite intense (You'll know what I mean). Besides this, I'm also editing the old ones since there were some mistakes and I also wanted to make a few changes (nothing serious, just a few details). For now I updated the first 2 chapters but hopefully soon I'll finish editing all them.

Having said this, have a nice day and I hope you enjoy this NEW chapter!

If there was one thing clear after reaching this point, it was that nothing was going to stop us. Yes, things were getting even more difficult at each step we made as heavily armored soldiers and the whole Solarii were chasing us trying to kill us. Also the fortress was literally becoming into a hot inferno that was falling apart pretty fast. Yes, things were bad… but Lara and I never allowed all these to stop us.

After killing every single enemy that we faced and sending them to hell, we were on our way out to some kind of courtyard.

"Okay… The Solarii are looking for Sam like crazy which is good but have to move fast or-"

"Wait." – I stopped Lara as I noticed someone in the end. One of the Russians that beat the shit out of us back in the cave appeared at the second floor of the next building.

"Go! All of you. Find the chosen one! These ones are mine." – He said as he approached to a big… Oh shit.

"Run. RUN! GET A COVER!" – I yelled and I pushed Lara into a wall as the Russian started to shoot at us with a big armored machine gun.

"I've been waiting for this moment after you killed my brother! Now you pay…" – He said while he kept attacking us. The bullets were destroying the walls but thankfully the bases were strong enough to stand the damage and allow us to cover.

"Shit. We have to move!" – Lara said as she flinched while the Russian attacked again.

"Okay… When I tell you, follow me as fast as you can."

As I saw he stopped for a second to let the gun to cool down, I took her hand and both rushed to the next wall. We followed the same process to reach the other side and get a good cover behind a wall.

"Good… What now?" – She when she peeked and hid again to avoid another attack.

"I don't think we can kill him from here. That machine gun has a shield and our bullets will do nothing against it." – I said while getting another look at the Russian. Then I looked around, especially at the wall that was covering us. – "I think I have an idea. A terrible one but it's the only thing I can think right now."

"What's in your mind?"

"I can access to the second floor through that hole. I may get a better vision at the Russian and try to attack him from there."

"Okay but be careful."

While she kept watching the Russian, I climbed to the second floor and he started to attack me as soon as he noticed me. A wall that was falling apart was the only thing covering me and I had to act fast. Then I saw a zip line connecting to the Russian's position and I had an idea – again – a terrible one.

"Lara! I need you to rush to the other side to distract him!"

"What!? Well… Okay!"

After waiting for a second, she rushed as fast as she could to the other wall and while our enemy got distracted by attacking her, I took the opportunity to jump to the zip line and descended with full speed at the Russian. He tried to redirect the machine gun at me but I kicked him to push him away. I tried to react quickly and point the machine gun at him but it was extremely heavy and before I could do any damage, he rushed at me and pushed me and the gun out of the building.

"Eric!" – Lara called me while I tried to recover. When I looked up, I saw the Russian pointing a pistol at me.

"No hiding now. I'm going to fucking kill you, boy."

I started to quickly crawl away while avoiding the shots and then I noticed something in my hand. I took it and after noticing it was a grenade launcher, I looked at the Russian. He also noticed and saw him panicking.

"Oh, shit…"

"Time to send you to hell with your bother, you fucking bastard." – I said as I shot a grenade at him. He tried to run away but the explosion reached him and finally everything ended.

"Eric! Are you crazy!?" – Lara said as she approached to me. – "You could have ended being killed!"

"I know but it was the only way and it worked." – I said after giving a sigh. Then I looked at the grenade launcher and had an idea. After taking my rifle out, I attached both things with tape and made sure they were secured. – "I dare the enemies to approach to us now."

After taking all the ammo we found, we passed to the next building through an entrance that was opened thanks to the explosion from before and kept going. As I expected, the grenade launcher made things more easy and we killed our enemies pretty fast besides opening new entrances for us. The only problem was that every building was on fire and pretty unstable so we had to keep moving.

As soon as we reached the rooftops in the middle of the fire, we got a good look at the environment and at the bottom we saw Sam being surrounded by two hunters.

"Stay away from me!" – She yelled as she threatened them with a pistol.

"Come with us… We won't hurt you."

"Stay back!" – She said as she shot and started running while the hunters followed her.

"Shit. We have to hurry!" - I said as we moved again.

"I won't let those bastards take her again." – Lara said with full determination and I agreed with her. Both descended to the bottom through a zip line and after getting close to that zone, we heard the Solarii giving orders and talking while looking for Sam. After getting our guns ready, we started to attack.

While Lara showed no mercy to any hunter that dared to attack her, I did the same and caused some destruction with the grenade launcher. At some point, some hunters tried to run away but we never gave them a chance. After checking everyone was dead, we got some ammo and went to the next zone. As soon as we entered, a big light pointed at us and I cursed.

"Shit. Not again!" – I said as another hunter with a big machine gun started to attack us. We started to move from cover to cover, trying our best to avoid the bullets.

"Follow me!" - Lara said as she started to climb a wooden wall and hurried to go up as the bullets were destroying it. After we reached the top, we rushed into a zip line to get into the other side and quickly killed two enemies who were waiting there. The hunter tried to destroy the wall and I could see him through a hole.

"Time to finish this."

I took my rifle out and pointed the grenade launcher at him. Before he could even react, an explosion happened, killing him and opening a way out for us. After checking that was the last of them, we rushed to the gate and saw Sam peeking from behind.

"Lara! Eric! Climb over, come on!"

"Head for Roth. We'll follow. And don't get on the helicopter." – Lara simply said and Sam looked confused at her.

"But Lara..."

"Just trust me, please trust me! Go!" – She asked with pleading eyes. After giving a sigh and looking at us for last time, Sam left.

"Are you sure about this?" – I asked while watching Sam leaving.

"Look at the storm. It's happening again." – She said while approaching to one of the buildings. I knew what she meant and I had a very bad feeling. Something really bad was going to happen… I just hope I'm wrong this time.

(Lara's POV)

We have to move fast. After entering one of the buildings to reach the rooftops, a hunter that spotted us had the brilliant idea to throw a Molotov bomb and the whole building started to burn. We moved fast and reached the top. After that, I noticed the helicopter flying around.

"Oh no… We've got to stop them from getting on that helicopter."

"Here!"

Eric pointed a zip line and we jumped until we reached a huge bridge. As we were on solid floor, we heard a very familiar voice.

"Destroy the bridges!" - When we looked back, we saw Mathias looking at us. After one of his mean hesitated to follow his order, he killed him. – "Any other non-believers!?"

The other man hurried to approach to a canon and both panicked.

"Oh, no. Shit! Run!" – Eric said as he forced me to get up and both started running.

A large group of hunters were right behind us but we ignored that fact as there were a lot of explosions happening around. Suddenly one of the cannon balls right behind us and the explosion violently pushed us forward. While Eric landed on the other side of the bridge, I managed to grab the edge but one of the hunters, who was falling and was literally on fire, grabbed my legs.

"Leave me… alone!" – I said as I tried to push him from me. I could feel the fire burning my skin and I started to panic. Then something hit the hunter and he finally let me go, falling into the void. I saw Eric before me with his axe and quickly helped me to get up.

"Come on! We have to hurry!"

Both started to run and jump through the remains of the bridge and before we could reach the end, the floor dropped and started to descend. Before I could think it was the end, we ended into a building. Through a hole, I could see the helicopter and then my radio turned on.

"We're taking fire. Everybody get to higher ground!" – Roth said while the helicopter flew away.

"Wait… the storms! It's too dangerous! Roth?" – I tried to tell him thorough the radio but no one responded.

"Lara, we must hurry! The building is falling apart!"

The whole building was on fire and falling apart pretty fast so we started moving. We tried to go up by climbing walls and broken stairs and ended rounding outside the building. Just as we thought we were finally reaching the top, the wall we were climbing fell and ended again inside the building.

"Crap! Come on! Here!" - Both started to climb some walls again with some of them on fire and finally reached the edge to the outside. With explosions happening inside and destroying the building, we hurried to climb the remaining walls from the outside and finally started to see the top. – "Just a little more!"

Eric was the first one to reach the top and after he hurried to help me, suddenly the helicopter appeared before us with Roth gesturing us at the entrance.

"You can do it! Hurry!"

"Go first!" – Eric said and I didn't hesitate jumping since I could feel the rooftop starting to fall apart. Despite my panic, I reached the helicopter and Roth helped me to get inside. Then we looked at Eric.

"Eric! Hurry! The building is going to explode!"

As he jumped, the whole structure exploded and violently pushed him. Before he could fall, Roth and I grabbed him while the helicopter flew away from the fire. After getting him inside, I felt the storm getting more violent and I rushed to Roth.

"Roth, we have to land! We have to land or the storms are going to crash us!"

"We can't leave!" - Eric added while pointing through the window at our crew that was gesturing us from the ground while defending themselves from the Solarii. The helicopter flew away from the scene and Roth went to the pilot.

"We can't leave them behind."

"We have to land!" – I insisted but the pilot shook his head.

"No way! Not with this weather!"

"We can't leave without them!"

"I barely made it in one piece!" – The pilot insisted and in a desperate move I took Roth's pistol and pointed it at him.

"Woah! Lara, calm down!" – Eric told me but I ignored him.

"It's too dangerous!" – The pilot insisted.

"NOW!"- I said threatening him.

"Fuck! You're crazy!"

After that, the pilot tried to control de helicopter but it was too late. I saw a lighting hitting us and the helicopter started to violently turn while falling down. Everyone tried to hold onto something while the controls started to explode. Then everything went dark.

(Eric's POV)

Ugh… My body hurts… We were in the helicopter, the storm hit us and then… Why can't I move? I opened my eyes and saw one of the parts from the helicopter over me. I could feel my legs, which was a good sign, and could move them a little but I was definitely trapped. I have to get out of here…

"Lara!"

I heard Roth calling her and after looking around, I saw him a few meters away, freeing himself from another part of the helicopter and crawled towards Lara who was lying close to him. As I saw him starting to perform CPR on her, I saw the helicopter being consumed by the flames.

"Roth! Get away from there! The helicopter is going to explode!" – I warned him. After that, I heard Lara coughing and Roth hurried to drag her away but there was a small explosion and both were pushed away. I cursed and I tried to free myself again. Then I looked at them and saw some Solarii members with Mathias running at them. – "Shit! Roth! Behind you! They're coming!"

Roth turned while carrying Lara and killed a few hunters with his pistol. Then I saw Mathias wielding an axe and I noticed he was ready to throw it.

"Roth! CAREFUL!" – I warned him again. Mathias threw the axe and after noticing it was coming at him, he turned to protect Lara. I paled when I saw the weapon hitting his back. – "No no no! ROTH!"

With all my strength I tried to finally free myself while Roth made a last effort and used his last bullets to kill the remaining hunters and scare Mathias away. Finally I was able to escape and rushed to Roth who fell on the ground while Lara approached at him crying. When I arrived, I saw him breathing weakly while Lara kneeled beside him and took his hand. We both knew we couldn't do anything… Why… Why this has to happen…

"Roth… I can't do this without you…" – Lara muttered while crying.

"I'm sorry Lara." – He answered and his voice felt weak. He left his pistols next to her and looked at her. – "But you can do this. You're a Croft."

"Roth…" – I muttered while kneeling next to him. I didn't know what to say… I didn't even know how to react. He looked at me and smiled weakly while putting a hand on my shoulder.

"Eric… No matter what, I've always been proud of you. You always showed me that you were special." – I still didn't react but I fell tears falling. I can't believe this is happening… I just can't. - "Please, look after her… Look after each other… Please…"

Suddenly he felt silent and his hand dropped. It happened. He was gone. I saw Lara hugging him while crying and I was there, quiet and still not sure how to react. He was my only family, my father even if I never called him that… and he was gone. Lara stopped hugging him and after taking that axe from his back, she laid his body on the ground. He looks so peaceful now… While still in shock, I felt Lara taking my hand.

"Eric. Are you okay?" – Lara asked me but I still didn't move. She touched my cheek and made me look at her. – "Eric?"

"I… I don't know." – I simply answered. Despite not giving a clear answer, she looked at me like she understood how I was feeling and hugged me.

"We'll make them pay. We'll make Mathias pay." – She said with determination while I felt her tears. I just hugged her back, still trying to assimilate everything. Then we heard someone coming.

"Lara! Eric!" – We heard Sam calling us and Lara pulled away. The rest of the crew arrived and checked on us. – "Are you okay?"

"Oh, are they okay?" – Reyes repeated almost in an angry tone. – "It's all about them, especially Lara. Isn't it? Have you forgotten that she's the reason we're here?"

"That's not fair, Reyes." – Sam replied shocked about her reaction and Reyes seemed to realize her mistake.

"That's right. I shouldn't have said that. It's just… Roth…" – She muttered while looking at his body. – "I don't know what we're going to do without him."

"Let's just find someplace safe and make preparations." – Jonah said putting a hand on her shoulder. – "He died as a warrior… We'll send him on as one."

(Lara's POV)

After building a simple funeral pyre with several woods that we found and putting Roth's body on its place, Reyes took a torch and put on the base. It slowly started burning and saw in silence how the flames consumed everything. Sam comforted me while I held Eric's hand very tightly. I was affected by Roth's death but I felt Eric was taking it the worst and I think he hasn't actually assimilate what happened. After several minutes, Reyes finally spoke.

"That old PT boat on the beach, I should be able to fix it up."

"It's worth a shot." – Jonah said but I shook my head.

"It doesn't matter… We're not getting off of this island."

"Come one, Lara… Don't talk like that." – Alex tried to reason with me. – "We just gotta regroup, come with a plan, you know."

"You just don't get it… any of you. Something won't let us leave."

"Some thing? Lara, you need sleep." – Reyes told me looking at me like I was crazy. Definitely they didn't get it.

"Look, I'll be the first to admit that I usually go in for the weird stuff… but this place is off the charts." – Alex tried to explain and Reyes got angrier.

"I'm not dying here! I'm fixing that boat and we are leaving!" – She said as she started leaving.

"You know this island isn't right, Jonah. You know you do." – I tried to tell him. I needed someone to believe me...

"All I know is that we can't use logic to understand this place." – He simply said after sighing and approached to me. – "I know you think your instincts are a weakness but they are a strength. Trust them. We need you, Lara."

"The big man's right." – Alex added and gestured us to leave but I shook my head.

"I can't leave him yet... I need time." – I said looking at the pyre.

"Leave. I'll stay with her." – Eric said after staying silent all this time. Jonah and Alex nodded and started leaving while Sam gave me a hug.

"You know where we'll be. Come down when you're ready." - When she pulled away, I gave her my pistol.

"Keep it close."

She nodded and after giving a quick hug to Eric, she left. Eric and I kept staring at the pyre and I sighed.

"You believe me, right?" – I asked with some doubts.

"I saw the same things as you did so I know that something weird is affecting this island. Whatever you do or decide, I got your back." – He said with determination. I smiled and took his hand again. Knowing that at least he was supporting me eased my nervousness. Roth asked us to take care of each other before dying and were going to fulfill that promise. Several minutes passed and after hearing a thunder in the distance, something came to my mind.

"No one leaves… They're linked to the power of the Sun Queen."

"Is that what's stopping us from leaving?"

"Probably… The monastery has a ritual chamber," – I said while taking the map I recovered from Mathias' room. – "If that's what the Stormguard are protecting, the answer to stopping the storms must be in there."

"The map shows a hidden river entrance." – Eric said while pointing on the map. Then I had an idea.

"The boat! We can use it to go inland, to the ritual chamber."

"Well, only if we convince Reyes first… You heard her, she doesn't believe you."

"Roth always told me that I had great instincts and that I had to trust them. And if there's something I knew about him, is that he was rarely wrong. " – I said while looking at the remaining flames from the fire. I know what I saw… and I'll do whatever it takes to stop it.