TOMB RAIDER:
THE EMPEROR’S SCROLL

by
RICHARD WATSON

Of loyalty & dignity, so begins the nature of Karma.
In a distant Universe, a single smile will end all turmoil

CHAPTER one:   QIAO
20 years before the Battle

Qiao was the captain of the Emperor’s army. Before he became ruthless & malevolent, he was kind to the people of the Middle Kingdom.
·	
The winter was frozen with frost and all villages were resting, as advised by Huang Di.
Qiao approached the general of his army in the late evening with news of new land discovered in the north.

“What news is this?” asked General Gao. “Our scouts have discovered an auspicious land, abundant in crops and roughage fit for trading the Three Kingdoms.”

“Excellent! I shall inform the Emperor of this!” Gao paused, “But I alone must tell him of this – as you are lower than me in rank; but greater in supremacy in the Court.” However, Gao saw the power in QIao, and felt quandary about his position in the matter.

General Gao approached Huang Di, and spoke about the discovery. “Good, send our scouts and legions to guard the area; and, because Qiao has a great strength, he may watch the troops until we start filling that land.”

“Yes, Great ruler.”

And so 4 scouts were sent, with 8 legions to guard the new land. When Qiao came, the group greeted him and welcomed him to watch.

On the second day, the men grew tired, and looked upon each other dimly.

“The Emperor makes us work, while he sits on his throne reading medicine classics,” said one of the troops. “If I were a medical master, I would flee this land and cure my back from this standing.”

“The Emperor only wishes that this land be kept watched until the villagers can work on the development of the city.” QIao said quietly.

“That may be, but 5 days must pass until the settling of the workers. I must wait 3 lengthy days?”

“Do not be troubled, the kind Spirits of the Emperor will take guidance over us.”

“Then let the Spirits watch over you, we are done.” “Should I remind you that I am Captain of the Emperor’s army; let not your hearts be doubted.“

“You say our hearts are doubted? Then why should we wait 3 days while you repose and watch? We are going back to tell the Emperor you did wrong upon us.”

“Stand back! or I will not doubt to use force.”

So the army battled, until one of the group was standing: Gao.

“Look! now we shall all fall, because we argued for our sakes. I shall tell the Emperor of this, and you shall be banished from the kingdom!”

“But did you not question the orders of Huang Di? It is not my doing; I shall not be punished.” “Silence! Speak no more. I will go to the Emperor and report the battle.”

CHAPTER two: QIAO’S BANISHMENT
The legion went to Huang DI and told him the upheaval.                                                   When he heard this, his heart was doubtful of Qiao.
·	
“Have I not invited you to my classes and instructions? This legion tells me that you argued over their safety, yet you are Captain of my army!”

“I humbly apologise, I will not fight with our troops.” “Apology cannot be accepted over the sake of one’s heart, I shall take force.”

The Emperor summoned QIao to his chamber, and on his ceramic table was a scroll. Huang Di sat on his ornate-golden chair and spoke to Qiao.

“Many years you served in my army, yet now this has come to be. And any one person who is under the care in my Court and does wrong upon his fellows must face punishment. In the Law of Heaven, I must banish you from the kingdom.”

“Mighty Emperor, I pray! Do not banish me. The troops questioned your orders, and I quietly advised them.”

“Yet you fought. A Captain of an Emperor’s army cannot fight with his own brigade. Such is the Law of the kingdom.”

Then Huang Di picked up the scroll and looked upon it sadly.

“I will not close you from my heart, yet you cannot stay in the kingdom.”

The pain in Huang Di’s heart was great, and he could not let the power of the Scroll banish his closest captain. He went to the East of the land, to the Temple of the Arts.
Gongzi was an apprentice at the time when Huang Di approached the Temple gates, and humbly greeted him.

“A fine morning in Lunqu, Honoured Master. What news must I pass the abbot?” “There has been a great treachery among my troops, and I must speak with Shuyang before time is out.”
Gongzi was astonished, and went to the head’s chamber with the news.

CHAPTER three: THE SCROLL

It had been decided that Qiao must be banished from the kingdom. However, the Emperor’s heart was saddened, and he resented that his respected Captain could fight with his own comrades. 
·	
“Have I not invited you to my classes and instructions? This treachery shall not be excused.
“Master, I give you the reading of the Scroll, as punishment to Qiao.”

Then Shuyang read the Scroll in an ancient tongue; and in a smog of black smoke, the Warrior Qiao disappeared into endless space and-time, until 3 000 years, when he shall again attempt to destroy Earth as revenge to the Middle Kingdom. 

CHAPTER four: THE TEMPLE OF THE ARTS, 
500 BC

“Of loyalty and dignity, so begins the nature of karma.
Through devastation and war, a single smile will end all turmoil.”
·	
It was spring and many fighters had prepared, all masters were trained and the entire school was ready. The devotee came soon after the preparations and made sure all was orderly.
When Lady Xunyao came to the Temple gate, the students humbly greeted her.

“It is a good day to appear before the honoured Temple of the Arts, adherent of the Gods. Tell me, disciple, do the seasons follow nature’s Way in this land?”

“Yes, honoured Lady,” replied Gongzi, “but our master, the head of our Temple, has become ill with febrile disease. We fear our temple has become poor, and there is meagre influence and effect for our effort.”

“So it may seem. Tell me, if war was approaching, would you and your Master prepare for battle? Your master is stricken, and funds are insufficient. Perhaps it may seem so, as war is surely approaching.

“The battle nears, and your fighters are ill-prepared!  Have the Master prepare the fighters, and I shall send medicine for your Master. Do not let this news slip out of the ear!”

The students became fearful and were hurrying to train, as they knew not the outcome.
Lady Xunyao appeared before the head of the Temple, and spoke to him about the coming battle. 

“You are ill these last days; however, I will administer the medicine to your need. 

“I have ill news. There is talk of a great warrior who will soon be released and will attack all villagers and dwellings in the coming period. This tyranny may last 5 000 years, if we do not prepare, who knows the outcome? Have your fighters prepare, and the dispute may be avoided before any injuries to our country.”

The Temple of the Arts was a well-established martial arts and medical school.

The abbot, Shuyang, which means ‘tree,’ was the eldest member of the Temple court, and well-respected in the state Empire.

“This is ill news indeed. I do not know if my fighters will be prepared for this battle. It is a difficult task even for the emperor himself, and the seasons do not follow my health. 

I feel quagmire – tell me, if such a task is to be completed, and time is not with me, who shall send for aid?” said Shuyang heavily.

“I am but a servant of the court; do not make such demands to my ears! If your fighters are not ready, then it is your doing, and this Temple has lost its influence over these great Three Kingdoms. If you are not ready, then I shall send for further support if necessary. That is all.” 
Shuyang was sorely unsatisfied with the demands of the Lady; however, he knew he must prepare, as the Lady seldom makes false requests.

Spring turned to summer, summer to autumn, and still the fighters were not ready. When Lady Xunyao came in the winter, she went to Shuyang to tell him the hearsay of the warrior.

“Spring to winter, and since my last visit to your abode, your fighters are in notoriety! I fear this: the warrior will be released, and the villages will be powerless.. It is time for aide. I shall plead with the Emperor to send support to your temple, and by then, your fighters must be trained.

“The warrior will be summoned in the coming autumn. Do not let this aide be of no use! If you fail, the tyranny will be ever-lasting, and the damage immeasurable.”

CHAPTER five: THE GUARDIAN

Before the warrior was summoned, a guardian protected the villages from disaster and defended the people.
·	
Lady Xunyao came to visit the Guardian of Piaoyang, who kept watch and guarded the people of the small village.

“How do the seasons follow in your dwelling?” she asked.

“Well,” replied Lei Gu, “what news does the Lady bring to me?”

“There is talk of a great warrior who will be released and attack the villages. The devastation will be great, and if you do not prepare, darkness will take the land.”

“I have seen this. However, I have no army; I am but a guardian of the cities. I shall prepare and do as the Lady requests, but prithee, I alone will not suffice.”

Lady Xunyao was displeased, again, but she knew in her heart victory would be with her country.

Summer came and the trees were in full blossom. Lady Xunyao returned to the Emperor’s palace, where she spoke about the coming battle and preparation of armies.

“Why was I not informed earlier of this?” asked Emperor Huang Di.

“The preparations must be made, and I have spoken with the head of the Temple of the Arts, and the Guardian of the cities. I pray to you: make ready your armies, and have the citizens protected. This must be done.”

“How did you hear of this?” “Humble Emperor, I was reading the classic on the Warrior Qiao which you banished into darkness in the Great library long ago, and I felt restless. In the winter, the moon was but half; and I feared the warrior would come again, disrupting the balance of good in our land.”

The Emperor looked upon her kindly, and agreed to the request.

The days were quick, and many armies were in preparation.

Lady Xunyao retired in her garden, and sadly thought of the villages and suffering that perhaps might soon come to be.

CHAPTER six: THE BATTLE

Autumn came, and the armies of the Three Kingdoms were prepared. The sky was dark, and all were fearful.
·	
The battle came, and men were fearful. They were screaming, afraid, as they knew not the result of the terror of the Warrior. All hope appeared to have been lost, when a giant gate was summoned between the edge of the sea and land.

When Lady Xunyao heard of the appearance of the Gate, she hurried to the border of the battle. 

The warrior spoke with a terrifying voice. “Hear me! I shall return in 3 000 years to destroy all villages in this land. For I am outcast; when I was once part of this great army, your Master, Shuyang, banished me from the kingdom into deep and darkness. Yet I shall return! the kingdom shall be destroyed, as revenge to your Master.” deemed Qiao angrily.

Lady Xunyao ordered the Guardian to continue fighting, while she told the Emperor the appearance of the Gate.

The Emperor was close by, and he knew what was needed.

He possessed the scroll, with ancient characters only he could read. The scroll’s power would seal the gate, so the Warrior would be thwarted when it closed.

When the medical Emperor Huang Di read the scroll before the great Gate, a giant beam of flame appeared in the portal, and took the Warrior into endless Time and Space.

When Lady Xunyao heard of the event, she hurried to the Emperor’s side.

“Is it over?” she asked in dismay. “I fear not. This is but a temporary seal for the Warrior; long ago, Shuyang and myself were apart of a great plan which would end all evil. But the tyranny will not be over until his entire entity is clean and purified.

“He is a malicious demon, summoned and trained only to fight.”

With that, the armies of the Emperor retired, and peace returned to the Three Kingdoms.

CHAPTER seven: NATIVE AMERICA: THE SEOUX’S PROMISE
Iceland, North America

After the battle, the Emperor sought he must hide the scroll so that it would never be used again.
·	
The battle had ended, and the Emperor retired to his palace. He spoke with the minister of foreign issues.

“Minister, you are no doubt aware of the treason of QIao. I have punished him by reading the Ancient Scroll of Retribution, and he is now in non-space and time.

“However, I fear the Scroll may be misused if not kept secret.”

“My lord, then it must be kept safe. I ask you: send it away from China, banish it from the Three Kingdoms, as armoury for QIao. Is this not then justified? If not, future individuals will seek it, without knowing their actions to QIao.”

“Where then shall I send it?” “There is a land in the West...”

“Speak no more! The West will surely influence our land.”

“With highest intensions, my Lord, the West is not yet known to those countries who will attempt to overcome their grandeur.

“There is a tribe there unknown by any other country. It has no name, but they are highly respected and subdued.

“Master, envoy the scroll of high-esteem and take it to this land, and there it will be safe.”
“Thank you, I will send at once.”

As the envoy arrived in Iceland, the Emperor advised the driver to keep watch over the chariot.

The Emperor arrived at the tribe which was subdued for a hundred years, and the chief’s advisor spoke to them curiously.

“You say you have used the Scroll to separate space-and-time?” “Yes, and I wish for it to be kept watched. Will you do this task?”

“Very well,” said the advisor, “I shall send for Hakoa before any dangers occur.”

Kaowu spoke to the Chief and he immediately obliged to protect the Emperor’s Scroll under an ancient custom.

So Emperor Huang Di returned to his envoy and chariot to China where peace had lingered for centuries – until the balance will be broken by trial and turmoil.

CHAPTER seven: BREAKFAST WITH KEI
Croft Manor, England, CE. 2000 AD

Training in her course, Lady Croft decides she must go to Taichung, Taiwan to speak with an acquaintance to find the whereabouts of a piece of the scroll which was buried after the battle of the Warrior millennia ago.
·	
“This is all I want to do,” Lara said easily on her earpiece to Michael, a technician hired to help her on her journeys. 

Michael was hired to temporally help Lara on her journeys.

Average height, brown eyes, and dark hair, the Englishman was educated in Germany as a technician.

He became known in Europe as an educated individual in his line of work, and Lara soon heard his accomplishment after he salvaged an automated transportation ship’s computer system. 

“Really, Lara, training’s hardly the real thing.” replied the middle-aged man.

“Then I love it even more.” she said gracefully, swinging to the next rope. “Have you found that piece of the scroll from Taichung in Taiwan?”

Lara heard of the discovery of the Scroll after an educated professor in Taiwan and his researches uncovered a piece of the Emperor’s Scroll which banished the Warrior Qiao into darkness 3 000 years ago. Lara soon became intrigued by this and looked for signs and erudite persons who would help her find the whereabouts of the battle and the burial of the Emperor and his Scroll.

“Deciphering it now, Lady Croft; the script has an ancient meaning that is not listed in any writing of the East, we may need a little extra help.”

“Roger that, I know someone who might be of some help. But what I’m worried about the most is how it ended in Taiwan after centuries of relaying from the East to the West.”

When Lara arrived at the airport near Croft Manor, she delivered her passport to the flight attendant. Looking out from one of the windows at the depot was a mysterious figure; she could not make it out exactly, but it appeared to have long hair and wore a French hat. She knew she was being watched.

When Lara arrived in Taichung, she unpacked her bags and sat on her bed in her hotel room, ready to sleep. At that moment, she heard a knock on the door. 

“Yes, I have a message for Lady Lara Croft.” “This is she.” replied Lara. 

“I do not know who sent the message, Lara Croft, but it is for you only.”
“Thank you, I’ll find the sender.”

The message read: “Be warned, Croft, of those who oppose LeRoux.”

When Lara read the letter, she immediately went to pick up her earpiece to tell Michael about the note.

“Michael, I just received an unusual message. It’s signed ‘BaFaux’; search for this person, we may be watched. I’m wary about it.”

“Searching, Lady Croft. Be careful.”

When Lara arrived at the restaurant in the morning, Kei was already there. He began simply, “Lara, good morning, I am Kei. How is your stay in our country?” “It’s beautiful, but I need information on the scroll which was recently...” Lara made eye-contact with Kei, “recovered.”
“Do you know the Chinese formation of Heaven? The great Yang energy of the sun formed it, and the strong energy of the earth formed matter. What if that energy were to become separable? The earth would be destroyed, and Heaven would lose its power. That is where the Warrior was sent 3 000 years ago.” Lara was sorely intrigued by this, and questioned Kei further about the mysterious power of the Scroll.

“The scroll is surely a mysterious item, Kei. It should be kept safe.”

Lara was extremely grateful for the information from Kei, and, when she was ready to leave, he offered her his help when she needed advice on the scroll and the Warrior.

When Lara had enough information, she went to her hotel room and spoke to Michael about the meeting.”Michael, have you found out the sender of the note?” “The sender is a LeRoux, but I do not know their whereabouts. They should be in Taiwan.” “It’s not the whereabouts of LeRoux or Bafaux that bothers me.”

When Lara arrived at the office block to meet with Kei, a mysterious figure looked at her from behind a screen, and Lara became cagey about the individual.

Kei was a highly educated researcher and professor in archaeology. When Lara read about the discovery in China, she knew he would help her decipher the meaning of the Emperor’s scroll.

“Lara, 3 000 years ago, before the Warrior was summoned, there was a Lady of the Imperial court who warned the armies of the Emperor about the coming battle. Lady Xunyao was the first to warn the Emperor and his armies about the devastation of the Warrior; and when he approached, war came.“

“Lady Xunyao?” inquired Lara. 

“Yes, however, the records on Lady Xunyao are limited, as she was not an important piece in the matter.

“A giant Gate was summoned by the Emperor Huang Di, a medical master and scholar, and took revenge on his Master Shuyang and disappeared into the distant future. However, the Emperor’s scroll has a power of great intrigue, and banished the ancient demon into darkness.”

“Now I know why they want the scroll; I’m being watched.”

When Lara left the office block, the figure watched her in the parking lot, and she approached and questioned him.

“What is your business with the scroll?” “Tell me about its power; I was watching you until the women in the office block saw me.”

“Who hired you?” she asked, looking at the distrustful Frenchman. “LeRoux.”

“Why do you want the scroll?” ”World domination, Croft.”

“What are you going to do with that?”

”To summon again the Warrior as revenge to those who betrayed LeRoux!”

When Lara dashed out behind one of the automobiles in the parking lot, the thief shot his weapon through one of the windows and Lara got on to her earpiece to Michael.

“I’m being shot at, I think they want the scroll.”

“Don’t let them have it! It’s a dangerous power.”

The villain approached Lara a little closer, but Lara hid behind an automobile, but the thief shot at her again, because he needed the scroll for his boss LeRoux.

When the fighting stopped, Lara hid behind a dustbin, but the villain came from behind – and knocked her and stole the Scroll out of her credulous hands.

“Lara! Lara! What happened?” were the last words on her earpiece.

When Kei came out of the office block, he saw Lara and took her to his apartment.

When Lara awoke, she found herself in Kei’s apartment with a heavy knock on her head.

“You are lucky to be here, Lady Croft; but I don’t think it’s you they want, but the Scroll.”

Lara sat down on the sofa. “I know why they want it. LeRoux is a madwoman, and her assistant Bafaux approached and attacked me.”

Kei went to the window of the sofa room.

“You need to be more careful, Lady Croft. There are dangerous people who want the Scroll.”

Lara went vociferously to the antique gramophone of the leisure room in the hotel. “I understand – I’ll keep it safe.”

CHAPTER eight: QUANDARY MEETINGS
Taichung, Taiwan
·	
When Lara returned to her hotel room, she spoke to Michael about the meeting with Kei and the occurrence of the villain.

“Michael, I met a suspicious character who may be working for LeRoux, and I’m wary about it. I think that is why they want it. Search the records for everything on the Emperor’s scroll. It has a power more terrible and great for any, which may be disastrous for the entire world.”

Lara was ready to leave for Lunqu, a small village in China where Kei had offered her his help to find the Scroll. However, the villain approached her a second time and demanded to know the Scroll’s power.

”I won’t tell you anything.”

”I was hired by LeRoux, no one can get us.” “Then you’d better go, or I’ll get the police.”

“Alright, Croft, the warrior is coming, make sure to be prepared.”

“I don’t know your game, but the Scroll is a dangerous weapon. I’ve had enough of this asinine; I’ll stop you from getting the Scroll at any cost.”

With that, she quickly went for her car to get to the hotel.

When Lara Croft went back to Kei’s house, he gave her the Scroll and secretly told her its meaning. He guided gently to her, “Be careful, Lady Croft, this is a great power beyond Human knowledge. Keep close eyes on it.”

“Alright, you have my promise, but we are being watched. I fear they want the Scroll for their own ends.”

When Lara arrived at Taichung Airport, the suspicious henchman acquainted her. 

“You only live twice, Lara Croft.” ”I know why you want the Scroll. If you want it, you’ll have to play the hard way.”

When Lara hid behind one of the pillars, the Frenchman followed her. However, she was quick, and got onto the plane to Lunqu.

On the plane, she spoke to Michael on her earpiece about the meeting with Kei and the encounter with the enemy.

“Michael, I think I know why they want the Scroll.  It has a great power which could cause disaster and damage for everyone.3 000 years ago, a servant of the Court warned the villages of China about the battle of the Warrior, and the war of the Fate of Earth.”

“Yes, Lady Croft, I have managed to translate a few characters. What about Kei?”

“He says if one reads it in complete duplicity, he will bring the Warrior back and cover the World in darkness.” answered Lara.

Lara arrived at Lunqu airport, while Kei was waiting for her at the depot, and they spoke about the scroll and its secret power.

CHAPTER nine: AN ENCOUNTER WITH LEROUX
Lunqu, China

Of danger and suspense, Lara must stop the enemy LeRoux from taking the Scroll into her own plot.
·	
Lara Croft left her room when she saw the figure with the French hat hiding behind one of the glass doors of the hotel. She sneaked passed unnoticed, but the figure stopped her and demanded to give the villain the scroll.

“The Scroll has a dangerous power,” she exclaimed, “I don’t know who you are, but end this game now, before any danger comes to any.”

“To rule is my game, Croft, and I’ll let no one stop me.”

Then Lara ran to the door for her hotel room when suddenly LeRoux ordered Bafaux’s helicopter to chase her.

She jumped over rooftops, avoiding gunfire from the enemy. Lara shot at the rotor of the helicopter to stop it from moving.

“Gunfire won’t stop me, Croft,” she yelled from the helicopter, dodging the gun shots.

“The Scroll is a dangerous weapon; it could kill millions of lives.” Lara said desperately avoiding sight from the helicopter of LeRoux.

LeRoux was a trained thief in Berlin. Her identity was unknown to the world, only as ‘LeRoux’ & her assistant Bafaux. She also had a stolen helicopter from the Persian army.

LeRoux’s criminal records ranged from the Egyptian Museum to the Louvre in France.

“The Warrior was once part of a great army, I intend to revive that army with the Scroll.” “The Warrior should be sealed, where the Emperor enclosed him. It is folly to release him.” deemed Lara.

“I have my reasons, Croft”, she said smirking.

LeRoux had stolen many artifacts as she was a professional in her field; ranging from the Egyptian Museum to the Louvre in France.

Many times she out-smarted the police, and her stolen silver helicopter from the Persian military was her priceless escape method.

Educated in Berlin, the Frenchwoman was a thief not to be trusted. Lara knew she must watch every corner for the thief, as she was afraid she would steal the Emperor’s scroll.

Lara jumped from one of the rooftops onto the saddle of the helicopter, following LeRoux to the place of the battle of the Warrior 3 000 years ago. 

CHAPTER ten: THE GATE OF THE WARRIOR
The place of the battle

When Lara arrived at the site of the battle of the Warrior 3 000 years ago, she hid behind the helicopter out of sight of LeRoux. Bafaux accompanied her.
·	
“Bafaux, give me the scroll.” she demanded stepping out of the halted helicopter, while Lara was watching from behind.

Lara stepped into sight of her, and LeRoux shouted: “Do not stop me! This Scroll will cause turmoil, and I shall be the heir of this Earth!”

“You don’t know what you’re doing,” said Lara, desperately trying to stop LeRoux.
“But I do, and no one can stop me.” she deemed.

Lara grabbed her earpiece and told Michael to give her the last words of the scroll.
“Michael, I need the last words of the Scroll to stop this cagey. “ “Roger, Lady Croft, deciphering now.”

After LeRoux had read the first characters of the Scroll, Michael had finished the translation, and gave her the meaning.

“Lara, I have good news. The last characters read as...” With that, she spoke aloud the characters and held LeRoux from bringing forth the deadly Warrior.

“Shi wen xinxing, Tian li mu.”

At that moment, a giant flash of lightening sundered, and a figure appeared before the peril. It was Lady Xunyao.

“Who summons me?” she asked, looking at Lara. “For 3 000 years, I have been sleeping in my slumber, and now this woman awakens me! What is your business?”

“Honoured Lady, this villain has tried to release the Warrior which you and your Emperor sealed 3 000 years ago. I do not wish that fate for our Earth.”

“I see that you are good, and your will is strong; but this villain! she must be banished.”
The gate which banished the Warrior appeared before them.

“I am giving you one last chance, servant of the demon Qiao, to end this war so that peace may return.”

“Never!” she screamed, taking the Scroll from Lara. “It was entrusted to me; I am a servant of the Great Warrior.”

“Then I cannot stop you – so be it! Return to the place of the Warrior, and be gone from this Earth!”

With that, the Gate appeared before the threat, and a giant flash of flame engulfed LeRoux and Bafaux to the deep of darkness.

Lara bowed to Lady Xunyao; the desolation was over, the air was fresh, and the sun shone brightly. The trees blew gently in the wind, and Lara gladly smiled.

Lady Xunyao ended the abominable trial with a proverb from the Daodejing “Laozi said: ‘the Work is done, but how no one knows.’ Rest, Lady Croft, you have done well.”

Lady Xunyao smiled greatly, and disappeared into her slumber.

“Michael, it’s over. I’ll be coming home soon.” “Roger, Lady Croft, glad it is over.”

CHAPTER eleven: CROFT MANOR
Croft Manor, Lara’s house
The battle was over, and LeRoux and her assistant had been banished. She needed a well-deserved rest.
·	
When Lara returned to her home, she sat by the fireplace and thought about the Scroll and the journey to China and Taichung, Taiwan.

She went to her study and researched everything about the Scroll and the Emperor who banished the Warrior into darkness.

“Michael, I’m concerned about a thing: if the Emperor banished the Warrior into endless time and space, where was he buried?”

“I don’t know that, Lady Croft, but I’ll search the records.”

Lara rested in her lounge, when Michael spoke to her about the Emperor. 

“I found the location of the burial of the Emperor, Lara.” “Wonderful, whereabouts is its location?”

Lara went to see Michael. “You work too much, take a rest. “Adventure’s not for me, Lady Croft; I’m a technician, I‘m here to help you.”

CHAPTER twelve: THE TOMB OF THE EMPEROR
Unknown location, near Piaoyang

Lara had finished the long battle with LeRoux and her watchdog Bafaux, and now she must decide to go to the burial site of the Emperor, who read the scroll and banished the Warrior into the depths of darkness...
·	
When Lara returned to her home, she went to Michael for more information about the burial of the Emperor.

“I found some information, Lara. The first Emperor of China was Huang Di; a great medical master. But I do not know beyond that. It took place some 3 000 years ago.”

“Good job, I’ll fly to the place of his burial, to ensure no harm comes to his rest.”

With that, Lara got ready for the site of the Tomb of the Emperor, where he lay resting without suppression. It was dark, dirty, and covered with dust. Lara searched for her flares, and lit the burial entrance. The burial chamber was filled with gold items and jewellery, and she notified Michael of the discovery.

“This is a stunning discovery,” she said on her earpiece, “log it in the records; I don’t want this to be unnoticed.”

“Roger, Lady Croft, submitting now. Where about are you?” “I’m not sure exactly, near Piaoyang, where the battle took place..”

“Can you find the body of the Emperor?” “I have not found it yet, but it should be close by. “ Lara lit another flare; and, lying next to her in a dark corner, was a tomb. It was the Emperor who banished the Warrior into darkness 3 000 years ago.

“This is a great discovery, Michael; I’m looking at the Emperor’s tomb himself! There’s not much of him left, but I’m taking a sample of his DNA for further research.”

“Roger, Lady Croft, come home soon.” said Michael on his last transmission.

CHAPTER thirteen: THE LAST MISSION, AND THE RETURN HOME
... Croft Manor, England

Lara discovered the tomb of the Emperor, and when she was ready to leave she felt distressed and uneasy.
·	
Standing before her was a faint glow of smoke; Lara strafed to the right, heading for the door, when the figure followed her: it was LeRoux.

She placed the Scroll on the Emperor’s tomb, and the figure became clearer.

“You tried once, Croft, now give me the scroll!” “Never!” she yelled, running for the door.
A giant earthquake struck, just before Lara went for the open air of China – the tomb was buried, along with LeRoux.

When Lara returned home, Michael was waiting at the ornate entrance with Kei, greeting and congratulating her for her success of defeating the enemy and discovering the Tomb of the Emperor who exiled the Warrior Qiao into darkness.

“Well done, Lady Croft,” said Kei, “our work is complete. I shall return to Taichung in a few days, and I shall inform the government of your discovery.”

“Thank you, I believe in the power of the Scroll. It is safe now."

THE  END

author:   Richard Watson  

e-mail:  duckman@duckman.za.net

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