walkthrough

Level 12 — Sanctuary of the Scion (third Scion piece)

Inner sanctum. Final Scion piece. Sphinx-style head puzzle plus a cinematic confrontation.

Sanctuary of the Scion — Level 12 walkthrough

The final Scion piece. After grabbing it, the story takes a hard turn — Natla ambushes Lara in a cutscene that strips her of weapons for the next level.

Path to the Scion

  • Multi-floor temple with Egyptian motifs throughout.
  • Key items: Ankh of Khamoon, two Hieroglyph Plates.
  • Mummy gauntlets in narrow corridors — sprint, don't fight unless cornered.

The Sphinx-head puzzle

A decorative Sphinx head puzzle gates the inner sanctum. Rotate it to face the correct direction; the floor opens beneath it.

Final chamber

  • The third Scion piece is on a central pedestal. Picking it up triggers the Natla ambush cutscene.
  • Save BEFORE picking up the Scion — Natla strips your inventory in the cutscene transition.

Combat tips

  • The level is long; conserve magnum / shotgun ammo for Tomb of Tihocan-style encounters.
  • Pistols are enough for mummies if you keep moving.

Secrets

  • 3 secrets. One requires lighting all four braziers in a specific order — the secret door opens behind the central altar.

If stuck: if the central pedestal won't accept the Ankh, you're missing a Hieroglyph Plate — there are TWO, and one is in a side chamber most players walk past.