Floating Islands - Starting Area and First Swordsman for "On Equal Terms" Achievement/Trophy
NOTE: The main walkthrough includes some general notes about this achievement/trophy.
You begin on one of this level's mysterious "floating islands," huge chunks of glowing jade suspended in space. Just ahead on the left is a small medi pack (1) sitting on the ground near the edge. Grab it and move back up onto the green walkway.
Advance almost to the end of the green walkway...
...and wait there as a flying swordsman (1) approaches very slowly from the building off to the right (i.e., right relative to the starting position). If you're after the "On Equal Terms" achievement/trophy, do not shoot at him while he's in the air. When he gets close, take a few steps back from the end of the walkway. Ready Uzis (or another powerful weapon) but be careful not to fire before he touches down.
When he does, hop straight back along the walkway firing.
Do not hop down next to the walkway, or he'll take off again, voiding the achievement.
When he's absorbed about 80 Uzi rounds...
...he'll become petrified, and you can stop shooting.
After a tense second, he'll explode.
NOTE: If you don't care about achievements/trophies, you can often take out these flying warriors from a distance. This one can be killed as he floats toward you. The M16 is great for targeting at a distance, but you can even use pistols if you start firing as soon as Lara gets a lock. Then just keep shooting until he explodes.
Afterward, move to the end of the green walkway and look down. Below is a shiny object on a little green island. This is the first of two MYSTIC PLAQUES. You'll be going after it soon. First, face the green rock formation shaped like an inverted "V." Take a running jump over it to land on the narrow stone ledge beyond.
Turn left then take a carefully angled running jump into the GOLD LATTICE BUILDING.
Inside, go to the right and throw the switch...
...to open a trapdoor in the building off to the right, where the flying swordsman came from.
NOTE: The switch also opens a gate at the other end of the gold lattice building. It's possible to go that way and slide down to the building with the trapdoor; however, you'll miss one of the swordsmen for the achievement/trophy, as well as the FIRST MYSTIC PLAQUE, and have to backtrack later. Follow the route on the next page instead.
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