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.
Lara found the ancient people and took part in the sexual ritual for the right of passage, a rite she could take part in as a woman to earn the knowledge of the whereabouts of the mystic and valuable Chalice. Passing the rite the village came under attack by mercenaries working for Alvarez, but the nimble Ms. Croft narrowly escaped.
Lara then found herself the prisoner of the local DRC military movement the C.U.M, and its ruthless general Ernest Ekeke. Having endured Ekeke and a number of his men having their way with her for hours, Lara was finally freed by the humble soldier Lumanse O'etto.
Now Lara is once again on route to the Caves of Kiribuni...
The Caves of Kiribuni...
They looked like jagged knives jutting out of the ground and reaching far up into the sky. There were various African male and female statues carved into them, all with exaggerated sex organs.
"Would you look at this", Lara said stepping out of her Jeep, and removing her shades to get a clear look at the rocky caves, "their absolutely gorgeous."
"They most certainly are Lara."
Lara felt a sickening feeling in her gut as she turned to face Josephus Alvarez.
"Mr. Alvarez, what a pleasure to see you again", Lara said sarcastically.
"You truly are a marvel Lady Croft. When Mr. McKlintock here told me he saw you racing off through the jungle I betted having Ernest Ekeke stopping you would buy us time to catch up..."
"And you didn't disappoint. You escaped, with a little help, and we followed you right here."
"And now what?" Lara asked narrowing her eyes on him.
"We go in of course", he said nodding his head in the direction of the cave's entrance. Lara looked at the mercs pointing their guns at her and knew she had no choice.
Alvarez walked past her leading the way, passing under the legs of a large male statue, its gigantic penis jutting out, the entire carving marking the cave's entrance.
Will Mackie walked up next to Lara, "You been avoiding me las?" he asked in his strong Scottish accent.
"Hardly Will. I've had no chance for pleasant association with old friends", she was being sarcastic again.
"Friends Lara, is that orl I we were?"
"It was a bet William, I admit I underestimated your abilities, and I did pay the price for my foolish negligence."
Will Mackie smiled at her, "beautiful woman, who knors how to admit she was wrong, you seem like the entire package darling."
Lara didn't dignify his flirting with a response; she knew he was hoping that she would oblige him with a repeat of what had happened between them in Japan. She just silently followed Alvarez's lead.
The caves seemed to be a labyrinth of twists and turns, and for more than thirty minutes they followed the winding paths until they were right back where they started.
"Oh this is fucking ridicules!" Josephus shouted. Lara smirked, but not without him noticing. "You bitch, you know how to get to the Chalice don't you?"
"When we followed you here I thought the route was far too easy, but it's not the way to the caves that's impossible to find is it, it's the root through this fucking maze."
"Well Mr. Alvarez. At the very least, you're not as complete imbecile", Lara smiled mockingly.
"Seeing as how death threats won't force you to cooperate, I'll try other methods..."
"Rodger, get the dynamite."
"Go ahead", Lara said, as one of the mercs removed his backpack, "blow the dynamite in here and we'll all be mashed under a cave-in, and do it from outside and you'll seal the cave forever."
Rodger, stopped what he was doing and looked up at Alvarez, waiting for further instructions.
"Don't worry, Mr. Alvarez, I'll lead you to the Chalice, I need you to get it so that I can take it from you later."
Alvarez brow twitched in irritation at Lara's egotistical arrogance, but he said nothing, he knew he needed her help; for now.
"Follow the path and keep left, on the third turn we go right and then continue left again all the way to the center of the labyrinth."
"Why don't you lead the way my dear", Josephus said, forcing a polite smile.
******** ******** ******
The inner-labyrinth of the caves of Kiribuni...
They must have made their way past the jagged caves and into the mountain Lara thought. The cave opened into a huge dome, the inside of which was also decorated in the same fertility statues and symbols as outside.
"Fantastic", she breathed looking up in awe. Lara Croft had seen some truly awe-inspiring sights, yet still every time she was introduced to a new man-made masterpiece in architecture; it sent shivers up her spine, "absolutely marvelous."
"I, it sure is", William agreed as he came to stand beside her.
Lara found herself smiling at him. While he had got in this business for the money, he did share her passion for it.
"If you are done ogling at the stone pornography, can we get on with it", Alvarez said, cutting in, "how do I get my Chalice Lara?"
Lara ignored the annoying feeling she felt towards Alvarez and looked around the cave. In the center of the dome was an alter which she walked over to. Around the sides were carvings of African females with exaggerated breasts, and on the top was a huge carving of a penis.
"A sacrifice to Ta'munkulu, the patron deity of the Tsitsikwama", said Will Mackie.
"Yes, one that will allow us to obtain the Chalice", Lara confirmed.
"Well, that's too bad Lara, I kind of liked you", Alvarez smiled sadistically.
"That's just it with you men isn't it, Josephus, you do not pay attention. The Tsitsikwama are a tribe ruled by females..."
"Look at the symbol on the top the alter."
"So", Josephus smirked looking at the penis carving.
"So", Lara replied, "it has to be a male sacrifice, not a female."
"I, she's right Mr. Alvarez. I'm guessing becoz the Tsitsikwama did practices by sexual rituals, this is pretty moch the same."
"Right Mackie, one of the females would have sex with the male, and then stab him in the heart, a sacrifice to Ta'munkulu. Then they would take the revealed Chalice and drink from it saying a prayer for the birth of a female child", Lara explained reading the symbols on one side of the alter.
"Well then, seeing as how you're the only female here Lara", Josephus smiled.