First Reply Tomb Raider - Fallen Dynasty

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Adventure outfit
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers

Valery watched Mak closely as he studied the tiles, his expression shifting into that thoughtful focus she had come to recognize over the years. He wasn't reckless, not like her —where she might have run headfirst into the fire, he took a moment to analyze the situation. And in this case? She was willing to follow his lead.

She exhaled, rolling out her shoulders. "Alright, we do it your way." Her smirk softened, but her stance remained poised — ready.

Her fiery gaze flickered downward, scanning the tiles with a more critical eye. The worn stone, dulled with age, carried faint traces of something… color. Faded, barely visible at first glance, but as she crouched down, fingers hovering just above the surface, she could just make out the remnants of paint: deep crimson, muted gold, dull blue.

Her brows furrowed.

"Mak," she murmured, her voice laced with something thoughtful. "These tiles — look here." She gestured lightly, tracing her fingers over the dust-covered surface, revealing just a bit more of the color underneath. "They're faded, but I think they were once painted. Different colors, different patterns."

She rose to her full height, her amber eyes flicking to the walls.

And there — etched into the stone murals that lined the corridor — were those same colors.

Depictions of ancient figures, robed in gold and blue, walking a distinct path, while others— painted in dark crimson — fell into unseen peril. Some of the figures had vanished over time, their paint long eroded, but the general sequence remained intact.

A pattern.

"Look at the walls." Valery nodded toward the murals. "I think they tell us which tiles are safe to step on."

Mak Manto ​

 

[Mak Manto]

Mak followed Valery's gaze, his own eyes narrowing as he studied the murals. He immediately noticed the patterns of color she had indicated, and how they were arranged to appear on the stone tiles.

"Fascinating," he murmured. "The figures in the gold and blue are ascending a path, and the figures painted crimson are depicted as falling down."

He considered this for a moment, then turned his attention back to the pressure plates. "So, if your theory is correct," he said, "we should follow the sequence that the figures in gold and blue appear to be walking, while avoiding the crimson. This might be some form of ancient trial. Well, Valery, it's a good thing you're here - you've been the one keeping this mission going the entire time."

He slithered to the very edge of the tiles, his eyes never leaving her.

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Adventure outfit
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers

Valery smirked, stretching her arms out slightly before taking a step back. "Alright, let's test this theory," she murmured, her fiery gaze locking onto the nearest golden tile.

Then, in one fluid motion, she leaped.

Her body twisted mid-air, an elegant flip carrying her across the trapped floor. She landed with effortless grace, her boots touching down lightly onto the gold-painted stone. A brief pause — waiting, listening. No click. No shifting mechanisms. No ancient death trap springing to life.

She exhaled through her nose, a pleased little smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. "Well, that's a good sign."

Her gaze flicked back to Mak, amusement glinting in her amber eyes. "But you might have a slightly bigger problem than me." She tilted her head, studying his long, serpentine form. "Some of these tiles are spaced pretty far apart. Perhaps I can help you across?" She proposed. With some assistance from the Force, he wouldn't even be touching any tiles.

Mak Manto ​

 

[Mak Manto]

Valery's confident demeanor set off a conflict within Mak. He appreciated her offer to help, but accepting it felt like a weakness he couldn't afford. "No, Valery," he said, his tone resolute. "I can handle this."

He took a breath, focusing on the next tile—a golden square. Drawing on the Force, he propelled himself forward, landing with calculated precision. The tile held firm, and he moved onto the next, a blue one.

He cast a glance back at Valery, his expression more serious than triumphant. "It's fine," he stated, pushing past any lingering doubt.

He reached the last blue tile, leading to the door. Turning to her, he forced a calm exterior. "Your turn." He flicked his tail, suppressing the unease gnawing at him. The shadow of uncertainty loomed over them, and he knew they still had challenges ahead.

 

[Valery Noble]

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Outfit: Adventure outfit
Weapons: Blasters | Lightsabers

Valery grinned, her fiery gaze glinting with amusement as she watched Mak propel himself forward with practiced precision. He could handle it. Good. She had a feeling he wouldn't have accepted her help anyway, and honestly? She liked that. She liked seeing that confidence, that drive — because when it came down to it, they were both stubborn as hell.

As he landed on the final blue tile, she smirked. "Not bad." The words carried an unmistakable challenge, her wild spirit flashing in the way she crouched, preparing to follow.

Then, she moved.

With a sharp inhale, she sprang forward, her body twisting in the air, flipping, rolling, dancing between the tiles with the same effortless grace she always carried in battle. Her landings were precise, the Force humming beneath her feet, guiding her as she reached the final stretch. With a final push, she leaped the last distance, landing lightly beside Mak with a smirk that was equal parts playful and victorious.

"See? Told you this would be fun."

But the moment was short-lived.

Ahead of them, the massive stone door loomed, its surface worn with age, but still intact. No visible handles. No obvious mechanisms. Just cold, unyielding stone barring their way forward. Valery stepped closer, running her fingers lightly over its rough surface. "I could just blast it open," she mused, her fingers flexing as if considering the sheer fun of that option, "but something tells me there's a trick to this."

She stepped back, amber eyes narrowing as she scanned the area. "These ruins are ancient. If there's a way through, it's either hidden in the carvings, or…" Her gaze flicked to the floor again. "Something in the tiles."

With a slow breath, she stretched out her senses, reaching through the Force to feel for whatever puzzle was waiting for them.

Mak Manto ​