POV Rio
After arriving back in my hotel room, I slept for four hours and then started sorting through what I gained. Around 4300 lbs of silver in various forms, which would require smelting to be sold. 937 ultraviolet .45 rounds. 111 sets of steel plate armour. 803 sets of Kevlar ballistic vests. 104 black SUVs/Vans. 28 ultraviolet grenades, which I had to admit were impressively built. But when you realise Stark Industries made it, it makes sense. There was also plenty of random anti-vampire stuff like holy water, garlic, and white oak stakes, but those were of minimal value to me as vampires aren't exactly common anymore if what Corvinus said is true.
That brought up a valid question of how this would affect the timeline. I was confident I had nothing to do with this war, since it sounded like the conflict had been going on for a few years by now. Though it is possible that this sort of thing happened in the MCU, and I didn't see it... But I highly doubt that. In the meantime, I tried to consider how, if at all, I could use this to my advantage, and I couldn't really think of anything.
Sure, I could probably track down some of the remaining vampires and make them indebted to me, but without the needed power, I can't force most of their submissions, and furthermore, do I really want to take in what could easily be the scum of the Earth to be my servants? I didn't really think I did. If I wanted an army of loyal soldiers, I would find the thousands of disabled veterans on the street, then heal, clothe, and feed them. Of course, I plan to do that eventually, but only once I am more powerful and I have the money to support them.
Speaking of money, it was about time I paid Lara Croft a visit. And with the alignment happening in just a few weeks, I figured we could discuss that as well.
Finding the address of Lara Croft was easy. Getting past security was also easy because she didn't have any. At least not on the approach to her front door.
Knock Knock Knock
It takes a moment, but after some time, a man in a nice suit answers the door.
"May I help you?" asks the man.
"Yes, I'm here to see if Ms Croft would be interested in some artifacts I had found in the Luna Temple," I answer honestly.
The butler's eyes widen slightly, and then he invites me inside.
"I shall fetch my lady," the bulter says.
I wait patiently in the chair I was told to wait in until Lara Croft eventually arrives wearing her usual sportswear.
"Hmm, so you're the one claiming to have been to the Luna Temple?" Lara Croft asks.
"Yes, I brought video evidence if you would like to see it," I say while taking out a camera.
Her eyes stare at me for a moment before taking the camera and scrolling through the pictures and the video. Her eyes take on the eyes of an adventurer, and she smiles.
"Where did you find it?" Lara asks.
"Off the coast of Santorini Island in Greece. And my name is Rio Pines," I answer.
"Of course, that fits. And my name is Lara Croft, but I assume you knew that already," Lara answers.
She keeps looking at the video.
"Based on what I was told, you are selling the info of the temple and the things you looted from there," Lara Croft says.
"Yes, and no. I've come here for several reasons. Selling the artifacts I got is one of them, or if you aren't interested, then requesting your assistance in finding a buyer. I've also come to ask if you are interested in working with me on a particular case," I answer.
She looks away from the camera and at me.
"I'd be interested in purchasing some of the items, but I won't be able to buy all of them. But I can get you in contact with some collectors who would be more than willing to buy your items. How much did you take?" Lara asked.
"All of it," I answer.
She pauses and looks back at the camera.
"Even the statues?" Lara asks.
I pointed my hand next to me, and moments later, the Statue of Alexander was sitting there. She jumps up and away from me while taking the twin pistols she was concealing and aiming them at me. But when I made no move to attack, she lowered them and approached the statue. She tapped it.
Tink Tink
"A-Amazing... How... How did you do it?" Lara asks.
"Magic," I answer.
She stares at me and then the statue and holsters her pistols and sits back down.
"I suppose that makes sense. Now what was this case you wanted to collaborate on?" Lara asked.
"One that your father died protecting," I answer.
That shakes her, and she looks at me this time with a mix of anticipation and dread.
"Explain," Lara Croft says.
"I know who killed your father. And what your father died protecting. It was an old tale he told you when you were young, the Triangle of Light," I answer.
Her eyes narrow, and I can see the anger in those eyes.
"Who and how do you know this?" Lara asks.
"Manfred Powell, a member of the Illuminati. I know this because I saw it. Divination magic can sometimes let someone see glimpses of the future. And if you don't believe me, then I will tell you that Manfred Powell currently holds your father's pocket watch that has a picture of your mother on the cover," I answer with a slight misdirection.
Her entire body freezes, and I can see the determination in her eyes.
"Now, before you go running off to seek him out, I would caution you. The Illuminati is powerful, with many armed soldiers that will not hesitate to kill you on sight, and while you might get lucky and manage to get through their guards, you will most definitely not be able to catch Manfred. Lucky for you, you have something he and the Illuminati desperately want. Something that will force him to come to you. Or if you want to choose a different route, it is likely that he may decide to wait at the spot where the first triangle fragment rests," I say.
"What do they want that I have?" Lara says.
"A key. One that your father hid from them when he was a part of them. They seek to use the Triangles' powers to rule the world. Of course, it's doomed to fail, as I assure you that artifact is nowhere near as powerful as everyone thinks it is. If it were, then it would have been destroyed by the real powers of Earth," I explain.
"Real powers?" Lara asks.
"This world is far more complicated than you could imagine. But that is besides the point. You have the key, it's hidden in your mansion," I answered.
"Do you know where it is?" Lara asks.
I point behind her towards the staircase. She heads over there, and I gesture to the wall beneath her stairs. She taps it and then starts smashing the wall open to reveal a hidden room. It was at this point that the butler came back and dropped the tray he was holding.
"By jove! How did that statue get in here?!" the butler exclaims.
Lara ignored him and entered the room.
"It's in the chest," I call out.
She retrieves the stopped clock.
"It's inside the clock. And should I remove the statue?" I ask.
"Yeah, probably for the best," Lara says with an absent-minded tone.
I walk over to the statue and store it. The butler stares at me with a wide mouth.
"Humana Humana Humana," the butler says and starts to fall over to faint, but I catch him.
"Oh, careful there," I say with a smile.
"I... I can't even. I don't... This is too much, just give me a moment, sir," the Butler says.
I set him down and hear the smashing sounds of a hammer destroying a clock. I walk over to the lab and see Lara holding the key or medalion, whatever you want to call it.
"Why did you come to me? Since you know what this is and where it was, why didn't you just break in and steal it? With magic, I imagine you have ways to overcome anything I could do to stop you," Lara asks.
"True, I could. But that's yours, not mine. And from what I know, you should be a good person. Plus, you are a dangerous person to be an enemy of. That and I want to work with you to help destroy the triangle, but in my way," I explain.
"Destroy it?" Lara asks.
"Yes, the Triangle of Light can only appear at the beginning of 2008 after almost 5000 years of being separated. I'm willing to let you use the triangle first to see your father one last time. But I want to have the triangle afterwards so I can destroy it. And no shooting it," I warn.
She raises her eyebrows at me.
"Let's just say I saw you do that, and I need it intact to destroy it completely. Not to mention the risk of shooting a magical artifact that can affect time. My way of destroying them is complete and impossible to reverse. And I won't deny that I gain some benefits from destroying it," I answer honestly.
"Can you help me get that watch back?" Lara asks.
"No problem. In fact, with my magic, I might be able to do so right now. Assuming you have a picture of it, so I can clearly visualise it. And assuming it's not in a place that would restrict my ability to summon it. But it would likely tip off our enemy that you might have a magic user on your side, which reduces the chances of being able to catch Manfred Powell off guard and thus capturing him. Which we need to do, as I don't know the exact locations of either of the two main pieces," I explain.
She thinks about it for a moment.
"Don't summon it now. But can you do so after we capture him?" Lara asks.
"No problem? So, I assume we are working together?" I ask.
"Yes, it's a deal, now let's talk business. I want the statue of Alexander," Lara says.
I smile.
"I will be honest. I'm a bit clueless about how valuable the items I have are. Archaeology is not my speciality. So I will rely on you to help me sell the items for a fair price. And I'm not sure if you can verify their authenticity," I reply.
"Don't worry, I'm certified to appraise them. And I can make sure you get a good price for them. Assuming you can give me a decent discount," Lara offers.
"How about I give you the statue for free, and you help me?" I offer.
"You got yourself a deal," Lara replies while extending her hand.
We shook hands with a smile.