Slouching Toward Bethlehem
A continuation of Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness.

Disclaimer:
I do not own any recognisable characters that appear in this piece of fiction. Lara Croft, Kurtis Trent and others are property of Eidos and Crystal Dynamics. The only thing I own is some OCs and the plot. This story was written for pleasure only. I am making no profit from this story.

Contact:
If you have any questions or comments about this story please don't hesitate to drop me a line. Just click the review button at the bottom of the page. Thank you.

» Epilogue »

From amidst the collapsing tunnels Lara and Kurtis emerged, still hand-in-hand, running with an effort lent to them by pure instinct. That of survival.

Beneath their feet the rock was shaking and splitting. They raced on, spurred forwards by the ground swallowed up at their heels. The implosion of the explosives had destroyed the city’s foundations, and everything on top was simply falling down to meet it.

Heedless they ran on, not even slowing in their tracks until they felt the ground beneath them as stable. Finally the implosion behind them faded, and they turned to find they were clear of the abyss of rock and sand that had swallowed up the Nephilim city.

Kurtis came to a standstill, resting his hands upon his knees and panting for air. Lara stepped up beside him, a look of disbelief upon her face. The afternoon sun shone hard across the Cappadocian landscape. She raised a hand to shield her sight against the glare.

Unearthly howls were carried on the desert breeze. The sun hovered on the edge of the sandy horizon, as though it were tottering on the verge of existence. Lara squinted her eyes against the light. She could just make out three dark forms receding into the distance. The Nephilim were free to pray on an unsuspecting world.

She sensed Kurtis straighten up beside her. She turned to look at him, taking in his bloody and battered appearance. Now that the adrenaline was fading in her veins she was starting to feel the effects of her latest battle.

They exchanged a glance.

Without a word Lara began to descend the rocky plateau. The clattering of loose stones told her Kurtis followed. Slowly they picked their way among the remains of the excavation site, finally reaching the place where Lara had hidden the motorbike only a few hours earlier.

Kurtis clambered on the bike. Lara had no mind to argue, and simply sat down behind him and wrapped her arms about his waist. He turned the keys and brought the engine to life, knocked the kickstand back andturned the bike around in a half-circle, the tyres screeching against the rocky ground.

With one last determined glance at the horizon Kurtis twisted the throttle and gunned the engine hard.

The motorbike roared after the Nephilim.

THE END

Author’s Notes

It felt so good typing those last two words :) I kept this part back because I wanted to get it perfect. As E.P.O put it, AoD’s ending was: ‘oddly unhappy-yet-somewhat-hopeful’. I wanted to try and give that impression again. After all, AoD was originally meant to be a three-part story. This was my interpretation of the second part of the story; the third part is to follow. This is the first full-length story I have ever finished, so I am very happy, but also eager to start on the sequel! Any unresolved issues or unanswered questions will be addressed in the next story. I haven’t come up with a title for it yet: everyone will simply have to keep their eyes peeled when looking at the stories list.

Thank Yous

I would like to thank everyone who has ever read, reviewed or simply lurked around this story. This was my first posted fanfic and I am so thankful for everyone’s comments and input. They really do help me improve my writing, and spur me on to update faster :D

A special thanks to Acid-Rush and Lady Lara Croft in particular, who have read and reviewed this story right from the beginning! (hugs everyone suffocatingly tight)

Hmm, well I best get started on the sequel now. I promise there will be cliffhangers and angst galore! (stares around at angry readers) OK… I think I’m gonna run away now. See everyone soon!