(Back to Jason, Chloe and Nadine. They were walking through the jungle. Chloe was walking beside Jason.)

Chloe: "So, Jason. How exactly old are you?"

Jason: "I'm 25."

Chloe: "Ah, so you're young. That's good. I wish I was in my twenties again."

Jason: "Why? What happened in your twenties?"

Chloe: "Oh, nothing special just taking things that weren't mine at all."

Jason: "So, a thief?"

Chloe: "In a way. Did you steal something?"

Jason: "Eh. I stole my friend's tickets to a concert once. He was so mad that he actually went home crying. It was a band tour."

Chloe: "What band was he trying to get into?"

Jason: "This band has a really weird and funny name. They're called the Cloudy Mushrooms. Their music is pretty bad because it's sounds like they were high on mushrooms. It was so painful to watch, but it was worth it to make my friend jealous." (Chloe laughed at Jason.)

Chloe: "You know what, Jason? I like you a lot."

Jason: "Thank you, Chloe. You're pretty cool, too and Nadine as well."

Nadine: "I'm actually flattered."

Jason: "Hey, guys. I have found the cave." (He points to the cave that they were looking for.)

Nadine: "The artifact we're looking for must be inside."

Chloe: "Perfect because I am up for some climbing." (She swung her grappling hook to a tree and it wrapped around. She climbed up another tree just to get a lot of momentum.)

Chloe: "Watch this, Jason!" (She swung across with enough speed to reach the cave and she caught her grip at the ledge. She pulled herself up and put her hands on her hips.)

Chloe: "Your turn, Jason!"

Jason: "No problem!" (He climbed up the tree and grabbed the rope. Then he swings across and caught the ledge. He almost slipped, but Chloe got him.)

Chloe: "I got you. You're not falling on my watch."

Jason: "Thanks."

Chloe: "Anytime. Nadine, get your butt over here!"

Nadine: "Isn't that what I'm doing right now?!"

Chloe: "Fair point. Well, hurry if you want this artifact!"

Nadine: "I'm coming! Stand back!" (She starts swinging with enough force to jump to the entrance without grabbing the ledge.)

Chloe: "Showoff."

Nadine: "Whatever. Let's get this artifact." (Chloe made a torch and lit it on fire.)

Chloe: "There we go." (They started walking through the caves and saw drawings.)

Jason: "Oh, cool. Drawings."

Chloe: "It's about that artifact. It's pretty."

Nadine: "But who's the one holding it?"

Chloe: "Must be the treasure keeper to make sure it isn't stolen, but we need it."

Jason: "Maybe it's close by."

Chloe: "One way to find out. Follow the torch." (She ran ahead and saw two paths.)

Nadine: "Oh, I had a feeling these would show up."

Chloe: "Two people should go on the first path and the other should go on the other."

Jason: "No. It's too risky to split up. We should stick together and all of us will go on the same path. I choose right."

Chloe: "How do you know that path won't be a death trap?"

Jason: "Because I see a spike trap on the ceiling right when you walk in. You take first step and the whole thing comes crashing down making a bloody mess."

Nadine: "Damn, he's right. I see it, too. Sharp eyes, Jason." (She pats him on the shoulder and chuckles.)

Chloe: "Alright, right it is then. Let's go." (They all walked through the left tunnel and found the treasure room that was huge.)

Jason: "Whoa..."

Chloe: "Amazing. I've never seen this much gold in so many years. I really need to get back on these adventures. Huh. I'm missing out."

Nadine: "We all know what to find. So, let's find it."

Man Voice: "I don't think it will be that simple, darling."

Nadine: "Who said that and don't call me darling unless you want your teeth to be punched out."

Man Voice: "Now, now. There's no need for violence." (He made himself appear with magic powder and he was holding the artifact.)

Chloe: "Finally, you would show your face. What's wrong? Afraid to face us in person? Are we really not that attractive?"

Man Voice: "You are attractive no doubt, but I think you were looking for this artifact that is in my hands."

Man Voice: "The Elixir of Life. Gorgeous thing, isn't it?"

Nadine: "Who are you?"

Man Voice: "I'm glad you asked. I am the Guru."

Chloe: "Just the Guru or just Guru?"

Guru: "Just Guru."

Chloe: "Okay, Guru. We need that Elixir. It's important."

Guru: "For what?"

Chloe: "Just to see if it can bring something to life. To see if it's true about what they say about this artifact."

Guru: "My dear child. It can not only bring something to life, but to someone you care about. It's immortality. Makes them live for a very long time, but give you the Elixir of Life just for you to make sure it works? No."

Nadine: "No? This is ridiculous. We need that artifact and you will give it to us!"

Guru: "Oh, I'll give it to you alright, but on one condition."

Jason: "Alright, Guru. What is it?"

Guru: "If you pass three of my tests, you may have this as a reward. If you don't pass, you'll never have this and you will get out of my home. Fair enough?"

Chloe: "We'll pass your tests."

Guru: "We'll see. Let's begin!" (He changed the entire background into a desert.)

Jason: "I didn't know Gurus can do this."

Chloe: "Somehow this one is magic."

Guru: "Now, pay attention and heed my words carefully."

Nadine: "We're listening."

Guru: "Good. At the end of the desert is a shiny gold key. Whoever reaches it first, must go through the door to succeed to next test. I must warn you through there is a catch. You must go through the sandstorm in order to get the key. Good luck!" (The sandstorm approached out of nowhere.)

Chloe: "Whoever gets there first must use the key!"

Nadine: "So, it's a race, then?"

Jason: "Pretty much. Wait, what happens to the rest of the teammates if the other succeeded?"

Chloe: "I don't know, but we can't waste any more time."

Nadine: "Right. On your mark, get set, run to the key!" (They all ran, but then got stopped by the sandstorm.)

Chloe: "This sandstorm is really hard to break through!"

Nadine: "Then we push harder!"

Jason: "This is nuts!" (Chloe got pushed back.)

Chloe: "Whoa!"

Nadine: "Chloe!"

Chloe: "I'm good! Not tired yet! Man, storm is strong!"

Jason: "No kidding!"

Nadine: "Keep pushing through!" (Jason was a little ahead Nadine and Chloe.)

Chloe: "Hey, look! Jason is ahead of us!"

Nadine: "Keep going, Jason! You got this!" (The sandstorm blew so hard, it knocked away Nadine and Chloe.)

Nadine: "Chloe, hold on to me!"

Chloe: "I'm trying!" (The sandstorm pulsed them away with the wind.)

Nadine and Chloe: "Whoaaa!" (Jason looked behind him and saw no one.)

Jason: "Chloe? Nadine!" (There was nothing, but silence.)

Jason: "Damn it! I must keep going!" (He kept going until he reached the key.)

Jason: "The key! Got you." (He grabbed it and the sandstorm froze in time as Jason went through the door.)

Guru: "Very good. I was hoping you didn't survive my first test, but well done."

Jason: "Where are my friends, Guru?"

Guru: "Don't worry. They're fine. Now, for the second test. You will traveling in the mountains, but there are gaps in between cracks of rock. You must jump your way to get the silver key, but it's not that easy. It gets rather...slippery. That's why you will be in a rainstorm. Try not to fall." (He chuckled and the rainstorm started with thunder and lightning.)

Jason: "Oh, crap! Okay, Jason. You can do this." (He hopped one at a time and a lightning bolt almost struck him. Jason fell, but grabbed the ledge.)

Jason: "S***! Come on, climb up!" (He pushed himself back up and kept hopping. His clothes were getting soaked and soggy as he made it to the silver key.)

Jason: "Thank god." (He grabbed the key and the rainstorm stopped.)

Guru: "How are you still succeeding? You should be dead!"

Jason: "Luckily for you, I trained for this kind of stuff a long time ago. I know what I'm up against. Nothing will stand in my way, Guru. Not a single obstacle will approach my pathway."

Guru: "Impressive, but you still have the final test to complete. You are now in Antarctica surviving in the snow. The bronze key is at the end of the footprints. Follow them and you will be okay. Here's the kicker, you have to plow through an icy, snowy blizzard. Think you can handle the cold?"

Jason: "I can handle anything you throw at me. I'm doing for my friends and the artifact. So, let's go!"

Guru: "Fine. Begin!" (The snowy blizzard came out of nowhere and Jason saw the blizzard. He noticed that blizzard was above in the air, but not touching the ground.)

Jason: "Oh, I know how to beat a blizzard. You watch and take notes, Guru." (He gave himself a running start and slid right under the blizzard like a boss.)

Jason: "Whoo-hoo! Yes!" (He rolled at the end and found the key.)

Guru: "That's impossible! How did you pass my blizzard?"

Jason: "Just recently went on a skiing trip. Sliding, snowboarding. You should try it." (He grabbed the bronze key and opened the door back to the treasure room.)

Jason: "There. I passed your tests and I win fair and square. Now, bring me back my friends."

Guru: "Okay, I'll bring them back." (There was door that was shown back at the desert.)

Chloe: "Nadine, look. A way out."

Nadine: "Thank god. Finally." (They both ran through the door and saw Jason.)

Chloe: "Hey, Jason! Did you..."

Jason: "Pass all three? Of course I did."

Nadine: "Jason, Chloe and I are happy that you succeeded phenomenally."

Jason: "Well, I did it for you guys and the artifact. Speaking of which, may I?" (Guru was a little upset and gave it to Jason.)

Jason: "Thank you, Guru."

Guru: "And these two chalices."

Jason: "Thank you. Let's get out of here."

Guru: "Wait. One more thing."

Chloe: "Oh, god. What is it?"

Guru: "I must warn you. The Elixir of Life not only gives a life, but takes another as well."

All: "What?!"

Chloe: "And you're just telling this now?"

Guru: "Yes, it will turn red, but you won't know. It's only a flash."

Jason: "So you're saying if I pour the elixir of life in both of these chalices, they won't change any color? They'll be the same through out and you have to guess which one is sacrifice and which one is life?"

Guru: "Exactly."

Chloe: "God damn it! You framed us!"

Guru: "I did and now you're stuck."

Nadine: "I ought to blast your face off!"

Guru: "Well, you can't because I'm bulletproof and magic. You can't kill me. Besides I made the formula that will make the potion look really identical. So I mixed them both in the same pitcher to give it a purple substance and yet it is now in your hands. You have to choose who lives and who dies."

Jason: "You piece of s***."

Guru: "Bye bye. Now, leave!"

Nadine: "Not until you're dead!" (She shoots him with her shotgun, but he disappeared.)

Nadine: "Damn it!"

Chloe: "Let's get out of here already. We have what we need."

Jason: "She's right. We need to go."

Nadine: "Then let's move!" (They ran out of the cave.)

Jason: "Thank god we got out of there."

Chloe: "Exactly. I'm going to have sand in my shoes for weeks."

Nadine: "So, what now? Obviously, we can't show people this and make them drink it."

Chloe: "Some will live, but most will die. No way, it's dangerous to bring it back with us."

Jason: "Maybe we can reverse it."

Chloe: "How?"

Jason: "It's just like water. We can boil it to make it pure so it can heal people."

Chloe: "Instead of killing them. Smart."

Nadine: "But where will we find a pot lying around? Obviously not in a jungle."

Jason: "Maybe my friends will know where."

Chloe: "Your friends?"

Jason: "Yeah. I have to look for them. We were separated when we arrived. Now, I'm worried. Will you ladies help me look for them? I can't do this on my own."

Chloe: "Okay, let's find them."

Nadine: "Yeah, we got your back."

Jason: "Great!"

Nadine: "Come on." (They walked around searching for Jason's friends. Meanwhile, back to Trevor and Isabelle calling their dad and mom.)

Trevor: "Dad?"

Isabelle: "Father! Mother!"

Trevor: "Where are you? Uncle Sam!"

Isabelle: "Grandfather Sully!" (Lara was at the river and she heard her children yelling for them. She smiled.)

Lara: "My children. Isabelle! Trevor!" (She ran towards their yelling and she got grabbed by Vaas.)

Lara: "You! Let me go! I have to go see my children!"

Vaas: "No, no, chica. You don't need them anymore!"

Lara: "Of course I do. They're both my children and you're not going to stop me!" (He twisted her arm and she yelled.)

Lara: "Ahhh! No! I won't let you do this!"

Vaas: "Sorry, chica, but I can't let you go back to them. You're mine and mine alone." (He stuck her in the neck again while holding her arm tightly so she wouldn't be able to escape.)

Vaas: "Now, who do you most desire on my island?"

Lara: "You."

Vaas: "Ah, there she is. Come with me. I have a present for you. Come on." (Lara looks back at the yelling. He took off her jade necklace and charm bracelet and threw it on the ground.)

Vaas: "Don't worry about them, chica. They'll be fine. Come on." (He drags her along like a puppet. Trevor and Isabelle kept yelling and Nathan heard something from a distance.)

Nathan: "You guys hear that?"

Sully: "Hear what?"

Sam: "Sounds like kids."

Nathan: "Isabelle and Trevor. Isabelle! Trevor!" (Isabelle heard her dad's voice and Trevor did as well.)

Isabelle: "It's father! I hear him!"

Trevor: "There they are! Dad!"

Nathan: "Trevor! Isabelle!" (They both ran into his arms for a hug. He kissed them both.)

Nathan: "Oh, thank god! You kids okay? Did Vaas's brother hurt you?"

Trevor: "No."

Isabelle: "No, we ran away as fast as we could."

Nathan: "I'm so sorry for abandoning you. I didn't know what to do back there."

Trevor: "It's okay, dad."

Isabelle: "Yeah, we all make mistakes. We'll pretend that it never occured. Uncle Sam!"

Trevor: "Grandad!" (He hugged Sully.)

Sully: "How are doing, Trev?"

Trevor: "I'm fine. Glad you didn't get hurt."

Sully: "Of course. I'm tough as nails, remember?"

Trevor: "And sharp as a needle!"

Sully: "That's right. You remember my quote. I thought you forgot."

Trevor: "I read a lot of books, grandad. My mind is like a book. I'll always remember that."

Sully: "I'm glad that you will never lose that skill. Just like your dad."

Isabelle: "Hey, where's mother?"

Trevor: "Yeah, you guys are here, but where's mom?"

Nathan: "Kids...you're mom is gone."

Isabelle: "What?"

Trevor: "You mean she..."

Nathan: "No, she's still alive. She just ran away."

Trevor: "From what?"

Nathan: "Herself. She's changing. She's not the same mother that you once had."

Trevor: "That's ridiculous!"

Isabelle: "What are you saying, father?"

Nathan: "Something has happened to her and she's gone insane."

Isabelle: "That's nonsense! Our mother would never be insane! Of course she's crazy sure, but insane?"

Trevor: "That is a whole different level!"

Nathan: "If you see her, I want you both to stay a distance from her."

Isabelle: "No way!"

Trevor: "Not a chance in hell!"

Sam: "Language!"

Trevor: "Sorry. We want to find our mom, dad! She's in trouble, we need to help her!"

Nathan: "Look, I tried, but it didn't work!"

Isabelle and Trevor: "Try harder!"

Trevor: "Remember, dad. Family stick together and together we are strong!"

Isabelle: "So, you must not give up on her! You do love her, right?"

Nathan: "Of course I do."

Trevor: "Then don't give up. You can do this! You can bring her back! You just have to try a little harder and think of a new strategy."

Nathan: "You're right. You're right. I mustn't give up on her. She didn't give up on us. So, why should I give up right now?"

Isabelle: "Exactly!"

Sully: "Wow, taking advice from Isabelle and Trevor. Unbelievable."

Sam: "They grow up so fast."

Trevor: "Faster. We grow like beanstalks except not all the way into the clouds."

Isabelle: "Yes, that would be strange."

Savage Man #3: "I will kill you children for what you did to my hand!"

Nathan: "Trevor! Isabelle! Get behind us!" (The kids ran behind the grown-ups and Nathan took out a pistol.)

Nathan: "Don't come any closer to us! You want them, you go through us! Matter of fact, we'll go through you!"

Savage Man #3: "Oh, I'm so scared! Help, Vaas! Help me! Please, this will be a piece of cake!"

Woman voice: "Yeah, I bet it will." (Someone threw a coconut with a strong leave at the man's head. He got knocked out and Nathan put his gun down.)

Sully: "The hell?"

Sam: "Brother, did you do that?"

Nathan: "No because if I did, I wouldn't be holding a gun in my hands now, would I?"

Sam: "Okay, if it wasn't you, then who threw that coconut?"

Woman voice: "I did." (The lady jumped from the tree and it revealed to be Elena Fisher once again. This time with war paint on her face.)

Nathan: "Elena?"

Elena: "Josh, it's clear."

Joshua: "Coming down." (He jumped down and saw the family.)

Joshua: "Oh, sweet."

Elena: "You're welcome."

Nathan: "I had it handled."

Elena: "Uh huh. Sure you did."

Sam: "Elena, what the hell are you doing here?"

Elena: "Well, I was planning to take photos of this glorious place, but I didn't think it would be this horrible. Now, I know why this island is very bad. I see you guys are here, but yet there's still one more person missing."

Nathan: "Actually, two people are missing."

Elena: "Who's the second person?"

Nathan: "His name is Jason Brody and he's a friend of mine."

Elena: "And Lara? What about her?"

Nathan: "She's gone. She ran away and I don't know where she went."

Elena: "Geez, that's terrible. You didn't cause that to happen, did you?"

Nathan: "No, I would never do that to Lara."

Elena: "But you would do that to me in the past, am I right?" (Nathan frowned at that question.)

Elena: "Calm down. I'm not here to fight with you. What's in the past stays in the past. We're not going back to that."

Nathan: "Okay, good."

Elena: "We're going to look for Lara, but we can't because it's getting dark and we need to know what happened to her."

Nathan: "Yeah."

Trevor: "Isabelle and I really miss you, Aunt Elena."

Elena: "I missed you guys, too."

Sully: "I'll look for firewood."

Isabelle: "Hey, father! I found something!"

Nathan: "What is it, Isabelle?"

Isabelle: "Come look!" (Nathan walked to Isabelle and she showed him what she found.)

Isabelle: "It's mother's necklace and charm bracelet. She never takes them off. Never."

Nathan: "Because Vaas got her. That no good sick psychopath."

Isabelle: "I'm scared what's going to happen to her."

Nathan: "Isabelle, don't worry. We'll find her. We will. We just need a plan on how to reach her." (He rubbed her arm to make sure she doesn't worry.)

Nathan: "Come on. We need to go to the campsite."

Isabelle: "Okay." (The moon rose up and in Vaas's place. He has a new outfit for her. The same outfit that he wears except for a female size.)

Vaas: "You like the outfit I got you, chica?"

Lara: "I love it. The best gift I ever had."

Vaas: "And I'm not done yet. You have an earpiece and a special knife just for you. I made it for you."

Lara: "It's beautiful. Thank you."

Vaas: "Go ahead. Put it on." (Lara was about to head out into the bathroom.)

Vaas: "No, no. Put it on right here. Just so I can keep an eye on you to make sure you won't do anything rash." (Lara slowly took her top off and she put on the red tank top. Then she went to her pants and took them off as well. She puts on the new pants and boots. Vaas was impressed by the way she looks.)

Vaas: "Perfect. Now you look just like me."

Lara: "You really like it?"

Vaas: "No, I love it and I love you, chica." (Lara blushed and Vaas thought of something.)

Vaas: "How about some wine? You look really parched and no. It isn't poisoned this time. I promise." (Lara drinks the wine and Vaas drinks his as well. It was quiet for a while because they were drinking wine. Then she stopped because Vaas was staring at her.)

Lara: "What?"

Vaas: "I see a very beautiful angel staring at me with grace, intelligence and wisdom."

Lara: "And do you see it in me?"

Vaas: "Not only that, but so much more." (Lara smiled and Vaas suddenly got up and approached Lara while sitting down. He took out his hand and Lara takes it. She slowly rose up towards his level. Vaas caressed her cheek and Lara looked in his green eyes.)

Vaas: "What do you see in me?"

Lara: "Bravery, compassionate, enduring and hunger for love and respect."

Vaas: "You read me well, chica."

Lara: "I was wrong about you from before. You do deserve me, not Nathan. He doesn't care as much when I needed him, but you. You're not like him at all."

Vaas: "As I said a long time ago. I care about my people and I treat them with respect. They don't like it, they could die by my hand."

Lara: "Our hand. No one would dare to stand in our way. Together, we are stronger."

Vaas: "And lovers."

Lara: "I want to stay. I...I want to stay with you, Vaas."

Vaas: "You do?"

Lara: "Yes." (Vaas smiled at her and she smiled back. They laughed together and then Vaas kissed her deeply. Lara was shook at first, but she liked it. They fell in love until they were tired.)

Vaas: "I love you, chica. I had fun."

Lara: "So, did I."

Vaas: "Remember. This was a one time thing."

Lara: "Got you."

Vaas: "Tomorrow, the real fun begins. I hope you will be prepared."

Lara: "I will."

Vaas: "Good. I'm so glad you're with me."

Lara: "Same here." (Vaas kissed her cheek.)

Vaas: "Now, sleep."

Lara: "Yes, sir." (She closed her eyes and went to sleep. There were voices talking in her head.)

**Nathan: "Come on, Lara. Snap out of it! I want to help you!"

**Lara: "I don't want your help!"

**Sully: "Lara, you need to calm down!"

**Sam: "This isn't you at all!"

**Trevor: "Why are you acting this way?"

**Isabelle: "Please come back to us, mother! Come back to us!"

**Lara: "I will never come back! Never again!" (Her voice echoes through her head as she was sleeping. Back to Nathan and the group by the campfire.)

Elena: "So, you're telling me that this man Vaas did something to Lara?"

Nathan: "Yes."

Elena: "Do you know what it is?"

Nathan: "No idea."

Sully: "Maybe it's a drug? He is a drug addict."

Nathan: "God no!"

Sully: "Calm down, kid. I'm just saying."

Sam: "Perhaps it's a sleeping agent."

Nathan: "Whatever it is, changed Lara's personality. It's why she couldn't remember anything."

Elena: "Interesting."

Joshua: "Very."

Nathan: "All this thinking is making my head hurt."

Sully: "Yeah, I'm beat."

Elena: "That's the sleep talking. We need to rest."

Sam: "Yeah. Good idea. Goodnight."

Nathan: "Good night, bro."

Elena: "You should get some sleep too, Nathan. I know you're worried, but you shouldn't be. We'll find her in the morning. We're not leaving without her."

Nathan: "Okay."

Elena: "Come on, Josh. Let's rest up." (Elena and Josh went into their tent and Nathan puts the fire out and then went in his tent. He took out a picture of Lara.)

(Nathan caressed the picture and teared up a little. Then he wiped his tear.)

Nathan: "I will find you, Lara and I will get you back. That's a promise." (He kissed the picture and went to sleep.)

(End of Chapter 9: The Guru)

How did you like this chapter? Dark, gritty? Pure insanity? Gosh, I hope not. Anyway, vote and comment what you thought of this chapter. Thanks a lot! 😁💖😉👍✌