I'm Lara Croft?

In a tunnel leading to the City of the Serpent, Lara and Etzil paused by an irrigation canal while the rebels followed behind them in pairs.

Etzil gestured toward the canal. "This route is the quickest. We'll take the other one," he said, then added after a moment, "Good luck."

Lara returned the sentiment before watching him head off with the rebel warriors.

Just then, Jonah arrived from behind the column of rebels. He rested a hand on Lara's shoulder. "Be careful," he said.

"What?" Lara teased. "Afraid you'll lose your chance at such an amazing job if I die?"

Jonah laughed. "Right. Because risking your life is just the best job in the world." Growing more serious, he continued, "I mean it, though. You might be at Captain America's level, but this world is filled with people who have powers, and you never know what to expect. Let's be honest—you're pretty cocky, and that might come back to bite you."

Jonah had a point. Lara was quite arrogant, even if she rarely admitted it. Having memories of a previous life, along with her super-soldier strength, made her feel untouchable in this quiet era of the 1980s and 1990s. It wasn't like the 2000s—when superheroes and supervillains started emerging like flies. Reed Richards hadn't become Mr. Fantastic yet; he was still locked in a scientific rivalry with Victor von Doom. Tony Stark was only just entering adulthood. Captain America was still an icicle in Antarctic ice. Peter Parker hadn't even been born. Meanwhile, Charles Xavier was looking for mutants to recruit for his team that he would create, X-men.

Lara nodded, conceding that Jonah had a point. "Then you should also be careful," she added with a knowing smile. "Abby would be more than a little sad if anything happened to you."

"What?" Jonah asked, feigning confusion.

"Come on, you can't fool me," Lara teased. "Don't think I haven't noticed the two of you. And here's some good news—after we wrap this up, we'll be staying around here for a few weeks. I'll have time to explore and enjoy myself, and you'll have time to, uh, 'explore' Abby."

Jonah blushed, at a loss for words. Finally, he just said, "Good luck," before hurrying to follow the rebels.

Lara watched him go, amused by his embarrassment, then leapt into the water and began swimming toward the City of the Serpent.

As Lara swam, she noticed the water starting to heat up. Up ahead, lava poured from fissures in the cave floor, causing parts of the structure to collapse. She hurried, narrowly making it into the City of the Serpent.

Standing on a small ledge, Lara surveyed the volcanic city. Native buildings and pyramids rose from the depths, while at the far end—open to the outside—stood the temple of Kukulkan. Red smoke filled the air, lava churned below, and Trinity helicopters circled overhead.

Grabbing her radio, Lara said, "Jonah, I'm inside. It's chaos here. Tell Uchu and Etzil to watch out—Trinity forces are everywhere with modern gear, not just the cult."

"Got it," Jonah replied. "I'll let Etzil and Uchu know."

Lara added, before leaping onto one of the nearby structures, "And don't launch a direct assault just yet. Stay behind the Yaaxil. Let them draw the fire and deal with the helicopters and armored vehicles. Once they engage, the rebels can move in from behind."

With that, she ended the transmission and continued climbing across the buildings, carefully navigating the crumbling cityscape.

Arriving at the building where the red smoke billowed, Lara spotted Crimson Fire waiting for her. Oddly, Crimson Fire was tinkering with something that resembled a futuristic smartphone, chuckling quietly. Noticing Lara's approach, she quickly hid the device.

"What were you doing?" Lara asked, puzzled.

"Nothing," Crimson Fire replied curtly. She then produced a gold mask with feathers that concealed only the upper half of the wearer's face. Noticing Lara's grimace, she added, "Yes, it's ugly, but just put it on."

Reluctantly, Lara took the mask. "Fine," she said, slipping it over her face.

Once Lara was masked, Crimson Fire stepped out and began emitting her trademark demonic sounds. The Yaaxil—gathered around them—answered with excited shrieks, jumping about with renewed energy.

"Why are you making those noises again?" Lara asked.

Crimson Fire nodded toward the Yaaxil. "This is how they communicate. Telepathically talking to them one by one is exhausting."

Lara glanced at the Yaaxil, still hopping and skittering with excitement. "Could you let them know to watch for anyone who looks important? They're a group I need to get rid of." She was referring to the High Council of Trinity, whom she remembered were here. In the game, they'd been killed, and Lara intended to make sure the same thing happened this time.

Crimson Fire waved a dismissive hand. "Don't worry. These little ones don't fear death at all. They're bloodthirsty and will stop at nothing until every enemy is dead." She then uttered another series of guttural sounds, prompting the Yaaxil to respond in kind and begin opening a large, circular gate.

With that done, Crimson Fire strode toward the gate, and Lara followed. The Yaaxil parted to allow them through, their crimson-hued forms milling restlessly on either side.

'They really do look like goblins,' Lara thought, watching them. 'I wonder if they also reproduce by kidnapping women from other races and… well, let's hope not.'

As soon as Lara and Crimson Fire stepped out, the Yaaxil surged forward, scrambling up toward the temple. Crimson Fire merely bounded away in massive leaps, effortlessly covering dozens of meters without needing to climb.

Watching Crimson Fire disappear in a few effortless jumps, Lara grumbled to herself, 'Couldn't you at least have carried me princess-style?' With no other option, she started scaling the rocks and structures on her own to reach the temple's level.