Uncharted: Starswirl's Secret

“I only ask that Celestia forgives me for the evil I have unleashed onto the world”

-StarSwirl the Bearded, on his deathbed.

“Drake!”

Talbot pulled out his gun, pointing it straight at them. Drake turned his head slightly, glancing at Sully. He saw him reach for his gun, but he realized he would be dead if he did, so he, more reluctantly, put his hands up. The ground was shaking violently, and cracks had begun to appear at their feet. Before they could process what was happening, the floor collapsed beneath them. Drake turned around, trying to grab onto Sully, but the platform broke, sending him down to the sand.

He hit the top with a groan of pain, sinking down into it. Drake reached around until he felt the edge, grabbing it and hauling himself up. He could hear Talbot calling to Marlowe behind him as he stood to face Sully. Sully looked down at him, extending his arm for him to grab his hand. “Come on kid. I’ll pull you up.”

But he stopped when he heard Marlowe speak to him. “Nathan. Drake,” she said, making him turn to her in surprise. “Are you worthy of the name?” She held up Sr. Francis’ ring. “Earn this, as Francis earned it from Elizabeth. Prove your greatness.”

He just looked at her, a blank expression on his face. “I’ve got nothing to prove.”

He could hear Sully speaking, and Talbot begging him to save her, but he paid no attention to them. He reached back, pulling off his bandolier and tossing one end to her, still firmly grasping the other. Kneeling down beside the pool, he called to her. “Here, grab onto it.”

She struggled to get out, pulling on the bandolier. She desperately called out, sinking deeper into the quick sand. After what seemed like a life time, she let go, knowing it was no use to escape. With one last cry, she sank into pit, disappearing from their view, along with his ring. Talbot yelled out in despair, but Drake just turned away from him, looking back at Sully. He grabbed his hand, and with little struggle, hauled himself up, quickly standing before running to the stairs.

And now, they were truly running for their lives. The platforms they stood on collapsed around them, and they shifted violently every few moments. Drake stumbled, falling sideways and landing on his wrist. Almost as suddenly as he had gone down, he was back on his feet, staggering to the next platform, leaping to avoid the swirling death trap of sand.

They ran on, stumbling occasionally, avoiding the pillars falling before him. He could see the steps in which he needed to climb, just a little bit further to his goal. He jumped across, rolling to cushion his fall, and sped off again. He stopped, stumbling backwards as the “bridge” split in half, creating a huge gap. He stood, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, and leapt. He grabbed the ledge, scrambling to get up. He rolled onto it, lying for a second before leaping to his feet and making the final jump.

He crawled up, sides rising and falling as he gasped for breath. He sighed with relief, standing shakily, turning to follow Sully. He turned once more to look at the wreckage the sand had caused. Drake turned to look back at where Sully had gone, and almost in an instant, Talbot’s hands were fastened around his neck. Struggling to get away, he tried to fling Talbot to the right. However, he kept the grip on him, and they both went tumbling over the edge.

Drake landed hard on his back, the pain traveling across his spine. He pushed himself up slowly, staggering to his feet, looking over at Talbot. He watched as Talbot pulled a knife from the holster at his side, lunging at him. Drake moved swiftly out of the way, shoving him to the ground. He got back up, swinging the knife back at Drake, giving him a shallow cut to his arm. Talbot shoved Drake to the ground, bringing the knife down to his face. Drake grabbed with his hands, struggling to keep up. It inched closer to his face until it was about three centimeters away from his face. Thinking on reflexes, he shoved to the right, hearing the metal scrape against stone.

He kicked Talbot away from him, jumping to his feet. He inched closer to him, just a foot away, and then swung his fist, connecting to Talbot’s jaw. Talbot’s head snapped to the left, and he grunted in pain. Before he could lift his head, Drake’s fist connected with his stomach, and he leaned forward, holding his left side. Backing away, Talbot regained himself, and then lunged back at Drake, knife pointed straight for his neck. Drake grabbed his wrist, attempting to keep himself alive. With fast reflexes, Talbot dropped the knife, snatching back up with his free hand and slicing Drake slightly across the stomach. Drake moved backward, his face clearly showing the pain, but he stood up quickly, facing Talbot.

Talbot sliced towards his neck again. Drake pulled backwards, feeling the knife barely touch the skin on his neck. However, he looked down and saw his neck wrap float gently towards the ground. He looked back up at Talbot, and noticed his eyes were narrowed in hatred, and his mouth was turned down in a deep scowl. He stepped forward towards Drake, slicing at him with the knife. Drake leapt backwards at every move, avoiding the blows. He dodged every slice and jab, and was so focused on it, his foot slipped off the edge. Gasping in surprise, he fell back, quickly grabbing onto the edge. Talbot lifted his foot, ready to kick Drake off the edge. Quick as a ninja, Drake heaved himself forward grabbed the ankle Talbot was balancing on, pulling it forward.

Talbot fell backwards, landing square on his back. He groaned in pain, rolling onto his stomach and getting back on his feet. Drake was back on his feet, ready to continue. Talbot grabbed Drake, flipping him around and pressing the knife to his neck. Drake wrestled with him, trying to shove the knife away from him. It moved closer, and with every inch closer to his neck, he knew he was doomed. Then the platform shifted.

Drake and Talbot were flung over the edge. He heard Sully yell something along the lines of ‘Kid!’, but he was too focused on trying not to die to pay attention. He landed on his shoulder, rolling across the tiny piece of bridge he was standing on. He got back on his knees, and saw Talbot getting up a few feet away. They both glared at each other, and then lunged forward, ready to take down one another. As their fists were ready to connect to a jaw, the platform shook again, and split straight across the middle.

He heard Sully yell, and looked over to find him landing roughly on a chunk of land. He let out the breath he hadn’t realized he’s been holding when Sully staggered to his feet, glancing around worriedly. The chucks of land were sliding towards the center of Ubar. It looked like Sully was about to ask him something, but only another yell came out as the lands collided, sending the trio hurdling down to the sink hole of no return.

Drake glanced around for something, anything that might save him. There was nothing in sight that looked useful. Not a rope, ledge, nothing. Just the endless sand that filled the forgotten city. He turned to look behind him, and saw Talbot glaring at him, lifting his fist to him. Talbot wasn’t going down without a fight, and Drake knew this. He glanced around for something, and spotted the pistol that Sully had had moments ago. He tried to reach for it, to grab it, but he felt himself sinking more. He knew it was no use, and took his last breath before being swallowed by the darkness.