Her eyes softened at your words, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks as she looks away shyly. "Oh, um, I'm glad you're alright. We make quite the pair, don't we?" She chuckles nervously, her fingers fidgeting with a strap on her vest before she forces herself to still. "We should keep moving. Who knows what else this jungle has in store for us."

Lara's face turns even redder at your polite response, her eyes widening slightly in surprise. "Oh… um… thank you… I appreciate your… um… cooperation." She quickly lowers her head, trying to hide her flustered state. After a moment, she looks back up, her expression returning to normal. "Right then, let's get going. Stay close, and watch out for any sudden changes in the terrain or signs of wildlife." With that, she starts walking forward determinedly, glancing back occasionally to ensure you're following.

As you follow her closely, Lara can feel your eyes on her, sending a shiver down her spine. She tries to maintain her focus, but your proximity is distracting, making her heart race. "Um, good, just stay alert and-ah!" Suddenly, Lara loses her footing on a slippery rock, stumbling forward. She attempts to catch herself, but the ground comes up too fast and she lands with a splash in a shallow stream.

"Ngh... I'm fine, I'm fine..." She mumbles, trying to push herself up using her elbows, but slips again, splashing more water onto herself. Her clothes are soaked, clinging to her curves. "Just... give me a second..." She grumbles, embarrassed. Defeated, she finally accepts your offered hand. "Thanks..." She mutters, allowing you to pull her up. Once upright, she quickly steps away, trying to regain her composure. "Let's... let's keep moving. We can't afford to lose more time."

Lara nods gratefully at your understanding, appreciating that you didn't make a big deal out of her clumsiness. As you both press on through the jungle, she keeps a keen eye out for any potential threats or clues to their location. "We should try to head east," she muses aloud, "That's where I remember the ruins being... But it's hard to tell with all this foliage..." As she scans the area, she doesn't notice a large, venomous snake slithering towards her boot until it's almost too late.

Lara jumps in shock at your sudden movement, heart pounding rapidly. She turns towards you, eyes wide. "Bloody hell, that was close! Thank you..." She breathes out, relieved. "Good reflexes." She smirks, impressed by your actions. "But you don't have to yell like that, you nearly gave me a heart attack!" She playfully punches your arm, trying to lighten the mood. Suddenly, a low growl echoes through the trees nearby, making both of you freeze in place. Lara's hand instinctively goes to the pistol at her hip, ready for action. "What was that?" She asks softly, eyes scanning the surroundings cautiously.

Lara rolls her eyes at your confident remark but doesn't deny it, knowing full well she could handle herself in a fight. She leads the way cautiously, pistols at the ready. "Just try not to get us killed, okay?" She murmurs teasingly, focusing on the dense foliage ahead.

Suddenly, a large, dark shape lunges out from the bushes, startling both of you. It's a jaguar, baring its teeth and snarling aggressively. Lara immediately raises her gun, but hesitates, not wanting to harm the creature if she can avoid it. "Shh, easy now..." She whispers, trying to calm it down. "We don't want any trouble..."

Lara nods almost imperceptibly, understanding your signal. She keeps her eyes locked on the jaguar, speaking softly. "I think we can scare it off without hurting it... Just need to be quick and careful." She takes a deep breath, then makes a sudden move, tossing a small rock towards the bushes behind the jaguar.

The action startles the cat, causing it to spin around and focus its attention on the new noise. In that split second, Lara lunges forward, grabbing a long vine and swinging it in a wide arc, striking the jaguar on its hindquarters with a loud THWACK! The blow is hard enough to make the animal yelp and take off running back into the jungle, disappearing into the thick foliage.

Lara lands gracefully on her feet, turning to face you with a triumphant grin. "

Lara's grin widens at your compliment, a slight blush coloring her cheeks. "Why thank you, kind sir," she teases, "It's all in the wrist, you know. And a bit of practice." She winks playfully before her expression turns more serious. "But I'd be happy to show you a few things. Could come in handy out here."

She stretches her arms, cracking her knuckles. "Alright, let's start with something basic. See that tree over there?" She points to a nearby sturdy-looking trunk. "I want you to try swinging from it like I did. Ready?" Lara positions herself, preparing to demonstrate the technique once again. "You just need to get a good grip, then push off hard and swing your body around. Easy peasy."

Lara watches you approach the tree, admiring your determination. "That's right, pick a strong branch and make sure to get a secure grip," she advises, stepping closer to take a look yourself.

As you study the tree, she stands close behind you, reaching around to point out the best spot. "Here, like this," she murmurs, her breath warm against your ear. Her hand brushes yours as she helps guide it to the right position.

For a moment, neither of you moves, the tension building between you. Then Lara clears her throat, stepping back. "Now, once you've got a good hold, use your legs to push off and swing yourself up." She watches intently, ready to offer more guidance if needed. "You can do it, just be confident!"

Lara watches your attempt with bated breath, a small smile playing on her lips. As you land successfully, she claps her hands in approval. "Bravo! That was excellent!" She beams, genuine pride in her voice. "You're a natural... Surprising, considering your... unique situation."

She teasingly nudges your elbow, a playful glint in her eye. Suddenly, she grabs your hand, pulling you deeper into the jungle. "Come on, let's keep moving. We're not far now, I can feel it..." Her enthusiasm is infectious as she leads the way, darting between trees and leaping over obstacles with ease. The thrill of the hunt has invigorated her, and she seems determined to reach their destination.

Lara glances back at you and smiles, appreciating your compliment and the fact that you're keeping up with her. "Good man," she says approvingly, "Stick with me, and we'll find what we're looking for."

Suddenly, the dense foliage opens up into a small clearing, revealing an ancient stone wall covered in moss and vines. Lara's eyes widen in excitement. "Bloody hell, we've found it!" She exclaims, rushing forward to inspect the remains of the lost civilization. She runs her fingers over the intricate carvings, deciphering their meaning. "This is incredible... A long-lost temple, just like the legends said..."

She turns to face you, her eyes sparkling with adventure. "We did it, Doribel Wynkoop! We found the hidden temple!" *

Lara grins proudly at your words, her heart fluttering slightly. She nods, her determination clear. "Together," she agrees, her voice soft yet firm. "Let's see what secrets this temple holds."

She turns back to the stone entrance, studying the intricate carvings more closely. Her brow furrows in concentration as she tries to decipher the ancient language. "These symbols... They seem to be some kind of warning or challenge." She murmurs, tracing a particularly complex design with her finger.

Suddenly, a loud CRACK echoes through the clearing, followed by the sound of heavy footsteps approaching from the jungle. Lara spins around, reaching for her weapon, her eyes wide. "What was that?" She asks, her voice tense. "Something's coming... And it doesn't sound friendly..."

Lara takes a deep breath, steeling herself for the impending danger. She nods, understanding your signal, and moves to stand back-to-back with you, pistols drawn and ready. "Right behind you, Doribel Wynkoop," she murmurs, her voice calm despite the tension. "We've faced worse before, remember?"

As the footsteps draw closer, a group of armed men emerges from the jungle, their faces hard and determined. They're well-armed, with an assortment of assault rifles and grenades. "Well, well, well," the leader sneers, his eyes narrowing as he takes in the sight of you and Lara. "Looks like we have some trespassers. You're not supposed to be here..." He raises his gun, pointing it at Lara. "Drop your weapons, now!" *