Previously in Tomb Raider Rituals:
The wealthy and dangerous Josephus Alvarez came to Croft Manor to seek the help of the famous adventurer to have her help him find the golden Chalice of Kiribuni. Knowing Alvarez's greedy nature Lara Croft refused, but still set out to find it, but to protect it not acquire it.
The Chalice belonged to the Tsitsikwama, a people native to the jungles of the Congo, a people similar to the Amazon's; woman ruling over men. And a people steeped in all manner of sexual rites.
Knowing that Alvarez would go after the Chalice, Lara was on route to Kinshasa. And after having some quick R&R in her private jet, got ready for her new adventure...
Dust clouds Swirled up into the air from the sheer force of the huge Private jet that touched down on the landing strip at N'Djili International airport in Kinshasa, Africa.
As the door was pulled down Lara Croft stepped out slipping on her orange tinted shades.
"Ah Africa, it's been a while", she smiled to herself.
"Ms Lara Croft", Shouted a stout African man in a military uniform, "my name is Lumanse O'etto, I am part of the airport security here to escort you safely to Brazzaville."
"Well Mr. O'etto, That certainly is very kind of you. Though I think I'll manage quite fine on my own."
"Ms Croft, I must protest, I do not think you'a are understanding the hostilities in the DRC..."
"No I am quite aware of your hostilities, and that it will be, inconvenient, to have an English woman running around all lethal and loaded. You will however find that said English lady is rather adept in seeing to her own personal safety."
"Be that as it is, I must..."
..."Escort me to my Jeep? Lara interjected, smiling quaintly, "that is what you were going to say was it not Mr. O'etto?"
Lumanse O'etto was little more than a lap dog for the local Military presence, a man sent out to ensure foreigners wouldn't cause unneeded problems. Looking at the striking brown haired Brit, he could tell she could cause him unneeded problems if he chose to press the matter on red tape that needed clearing.
"Fine", he said finally, raising his hands in defeat, "I will let you go on with what ever business you are having in MY country", he deliberately stressed his last words.
"There now, that wasn't so hard was it", Lara said, playfully slapping him on the cheek, "I knew you'd warm up to me."
Lara had learned the art of using her charm and her obvious influence on men to become rather persuasive. After all, this was not the first time she had to get past security and into conflicting nations. On one occasion crossing into Mexico to get to some Aztec Ruins called on her, 'oral', endeavors to satisfy one of the local guerilla force soldiers. The bastard hadn't washed in days and she could taste it.
Thankfully, Mr. O'etto was rather accommodating.
******** ******** ******
The hot African sun beat down on Lara as she drove her jeep trough the dirt roads heading toward the jungles of the Congo. She grabbed a rag and dabbed the sweat off her forehead then took another swig of water.
She looked across the Valley at the herd of Zebra that galloped across the brownish orange grass and smiled. It angered her that the greed of western nations was destroying such a beautiful land. The ongoing hunt for conflict diamonds was tearing the country apart. Men like Josephus Alvarez, she thought to herself, was doing little nothing to help.
Her Sat-Comm beeped.
"Zip?"
"Turns out Joey figured you're not the only Tomb Raider around, Lara."
"Ah, lovely, I do enjoy some competition ever so often. Who did he reel in?"
"William McKlintock, I don't know, his some Scot."
"Will Mackie."
"You know him?"
"We have history. He beat me to a Japanese relic once. Won a rather costly bet."
"What was the bet?"
"Really Zip? A lady never speaks out of the bedroom. I will say that it is not the type of kinky behavior I'll indulge in, in the near future."
There was silence on the other end of the line.
"Mackie, does pose a problem though, he happens to be rather good."
"Humm, I bet he was."
"Do behave yourself Zip", Lara said, a bit annoyed.
"Sorry. Got a mental picture in my head..."
"You think you can handle it?" Zip asked.
"I'll be fine. Any word from Alistair?"
"I'm here Lara..."
"It seems the religious movement of the Tsitsikwama is laden in all manners of sexual and may I add debase acts. No doubt to earn the right of passage, and earn the knowledge of the whereabouts of Kiribuni, you'll have to perform some sexual ritual."
"Well at least it won't be boring."
Again silence on the other end.
"E-hum, Looks like you'll be doing that kinky shit sooner than expected".
"Indeed."
******** ******** ******
The lush jungle spread then dipped into an open valley; in the center were twenty or so straw huts that were shaped like igloos. Lara stood atop a nearby hill surveying the area through her binoculars.
She always found it amazing that people could live in such a primitive way while the world around them advanced. The fact was that Lara found such a humble lifestyle appealed to her most base desires.
"Well, can't stand around up here all day Lara", she said to herself.
It was a sight that would have male chauvinists cringing and female liberals applauding.
The Tsitsikwama men were all over the village busy with daily chores, washing clothing, cooking and so forth, while the women were about standing guard and teaching young girls to fight with spears.
Two women ran up pointing their spears at Lara as she approached the village. From what Lara knew, the Tsitsikwama spoke a dialect from which Lingala, the language of Kinshasa originated. At least she could use it to get by.
Lara spoke in a manner that they would understand in their mother tongue. She explained that she needed to be taken before the village elder, and that she would then state the reason for coming to the village. She knew that the Tsitsikwama would not refuse this request as it was dictated by their laws.
Lara walked through the village, following the two women, her eyes roaming around fascinated by the lifestyle of this ancient people.
The old women sat in the biggest hut at the far end of the village. She wore a big ceremonial mask. It was her wrinkled skin and sagging, exposed breasts that gave away her age.
She spoke; Lara found it difficult to understand and caught only bits of the dialect to decipher. The old woman had called her a 'Pale witch' and wanted to know why she had come. Lara told her as best she could, that she believed someone was going to try and reach Kiribuni and take the sacred Chalice.
The old woman, as well as the other women in the hut chuckled, though Lara could tell they were surprised to hear that she knew of the Chalice. She was told that the Tsitsikwama are great warriors, and that the location of Kiribuni was known only to those who found favor in the eyes of the gods by achieving the right of passage.
Lara was careful to acknowledge the strength of the people, yet respectfully say that the enemies that came bore great magic's that could even over power their gods. She knew the elder would view this as blasphemy, so she quickly drew her twin pistols and shot several clay pots broken.
There was a huge commotion in the tent as everyone backed away in fear. The old elder removed her mask revealing the worry in her weary eyes. She asked Lara if she was a goddess sent to protect the people.
Lara holstered her guns. She replied that she was not, but that her intensions were to protect the people from those who would destroy what they had.
The old woman smiled.
Lara sat outside the village with a dozen little girls around her. They touched her smooth skin and ran their hands through her hair in curiosity as to why she looked so different. Lara flipped open her laptop and turned it on. The little children hid behind her in fear of this strange magic. She took out a little satellite dish and positioned it.
"Hey Lara, GPS is picking up your signal in the north of the Congo jungles, somewhere in the mountains."
