The First Oracle

"RRGH!"

Lara grunted as she shoved the makeshift spear into the head of the giant spider, killing it. Lara turned and continued on her path, the look on her face a combination of anger and disgust. This had been, what, the twentieth giant bug she'd had to deal with?

Few dared to set foot in the Valley of the Web. Spiders and insects of all kinds guarded the way to Madame Web's hideout, and unless one had the blessing of the Spider Totem, they'd likely meet their end dealing with them. Luckily, Lara was accompanied by the Spider-Clan. That didn't stop the larger and more aggressive of the beasts from attacking, but it kept the swarms away. Those were the real dangers of the valley.

"See, Bat-Girl? La-Ra can take care of herself," F'li-Sha noted.

"That much is obvious," Barb'ra said back. "I'm impressed."

"So you agree that you should spend less time worrying about us and more time in bed with us?" F'li-Sha grinned, putting her arm around the Bat-Girl and kissing her cheek.

"Sure... somewhere with less giant spiders, though," Barb'ra said. She smiled and rolled her eyes. So much like S'li-Na, she thought...

The journey to Madame Web's hideout was treacherous, but with the Spider-Clan's protection and the skills of every woman in the group, a few giant bugs later, they eventually made it.

"Madame Web, we've brought you an outsider. We believe she's the one from your visions," MJ said.

"Mary J'ain. The Savage Land told me of your arrival," Madame Web answered. "I would speak to Lara privately, but first, you and your clan must be informed; two more have been blessed by the Spider Totem. Aa'sh-Lee Bart'n and N'ya-K'orazon left the Family Settlement some time ago, and are looking for a tribe to join. They would be ideal initiates for the Spider-Clan."

"We'll start looking for them as soon as we return to the village," MJ acknowledged. The other women left the cave, leaving Lara to speak with the oracle. "Your name is Lara, yes?"

"Yes, Lara Croft," Lara introduced herself.

"The Savage Land is dying, Lara. Once, the women of this land were united. Tribes freely intermingled with one another. Tribeswomen were free to love each other as they saw fit. That paradise was shattered a century ago by a man who sought to enslave the Savage Land, and the tribes became fractured, more worried about their own survival than the Savage Land as a whole. Now, the Savage Land's power is fading, and what's worse, tribeswomen are disappearing."

Lara felt a knot in her stomach as a sense of worry washed over her. She'd grown so fond of this place, and even fonder of the native women here. Before, she'd wondered what she was going to do when she'd finished her expedition -- now, she knew at the very least, she'd be staying to do what it took to protect the Savage Land.

"Do you know why this is happening?" Lara asked.

Madame Web shook her head. "The voices of the Savage Land have become... distorted. I have my suspicions, but beyond that, only visions, and those are vague."

"What are these visions? Where do I fit in?"

"Each of the oracles have had a vision, one of an outsider who appears when the Savage Land needs her most. Few have ever tried to enter the Savage Land, and you are the first in over a century to be successful."

"I'm not sure I'm any kind of 'chosen one'," Lara answered dismissively. "I'm an archaeologist and an explorer."

"Don't underestimate yourself. You specialize in collecting ancient relics and treasures, do you not?"

Lara nodded tentatively. "I do, yes."

"If my suspicions are correct, the Savage Land is dying because the Sapphire of the Nuwali has been removed from its resting place. The stone can't be touched by native hands, presumably so none here can **** its power. Hence the need for an outsider. But not just anyone can enter the Savage Land; it's been said, 'only women whose beauty can match that of the Savage Land can enter.' Combined with your expertise in collecting ancient treasures, it's clear that the Savage Land chose you to help save it."

Lara's mind began reeling at this new information. The Savage Land chose her? Was it alive? Some sort of entity? And it chose her? Ultimately though, she felt a surge of excitement. Finding old relics in ancient ruins was her specialty. There was nothing she loved more than plucking an old treasure from a forgotten ruin. (OK, maybe there was one thing she loved more.) "Where should I start looking for this Sapphire?" she asked.

"I don't know. because of its power, the Sapphire was well hidden, even from most of the oracles. Only one was informed of its location, and sworn to secrecy, to keep its location secret to all but the outsider. Seek out the X-Tribe. They can take you to that oracle."

"Is there anything else I should know?" Lara asked.

Madame Web nodded. "The disappearing tribeswomen... this is reminiscient of voices I'd heard a century ago. A male outsider, Nathaniel Essex, or Sir Sinister, as he was called, kidnapped tribeswomen to further his own genetic research. He was ultimately defeated, but the Savage Land was shattered. If he's somehow returned, the Savage Land is in more danger than ever..."

Lara's jaw dropped. Madame Web didn't look a day over 25. "You're over a century old?!"

"The Sapphire of the Nuwali grants eternal life and eternal beauty. Which is why without it, the Savage Land will wither and die..."

"...No it won't. I'll get it back," Lara said, her voice determined and strong. "Thank you, Madame Web."

Upon exiting the cave, Lara told the others about what she had learned, and her next destination. They agreed that the other tribes needed to be informed. MJ would take F'li-Sha, N-Ta'sha and Silv'r to find the potential Spider-Clan initiates. The other women of the Spider-Clan would head to the Bat-Village to inform the Bat-Clan. Lara, Barb'ra and D'yanna agreed to meet the others at the Justice Tribe Watchtower to come up with a plan, and once clear of the Valley of the Web, the group parted ways.

Lara and her new group had been traveling for a few hours. Since leaving the Valley of the Web, it had been an uneventful journey... until Lara felt a stinging sensation hit her neck. She ran her hand across her neck and grabbed a tranquilizer dart. She looked around and saw Barb'ra and D'yanna ****. Oh fuuuuck, she thought as she collapsed, looking up and seeing two figures standing in front of her through blurred vision.

"That was disappointing. I truly expected more," Kraven muttered, shaking his head at Lara as she lost consciousness. "Still, I've no desire to kill you -- yet. After all, I have big plans for you."

Cheetah stood there in the background, staring at the other hunter as he gloated over his victory. Little did he know -- she had plans of her own.