Torso Monster
Current Status: Lava Dead
Appearance in Tomb Raider
The aptly named Torso Monster is one of Natla's more unique creations. It is prematurely birthed from its womb above the lava pit of the Great Pyramid after Lara attempts to prevent any further experiments by destroying the Atlantean Scion. Natla prevents her but falls into the pit, but Lara catches hold of the ledge that is directly opposite the Scion chamber.
In Tomb Raider the creature is made up of a large spherical torso and a smaller head, with two long rangy arms. The arms end in three fingered hands with large claws. The creature uses its arms to drag itself around the platform and also to swipe at Lara. It's ribcage is exposed, and some areas of it appear to have skin while others do not.
Appearance in Anniversary
The creature is born again as a result of Lara's attempt to destroy the scion. One piece of the scion is knocked out of alignment when Lara fires one of her pistols, presumably terminating the gestation process and birthing the creature. This can clearly be seen in the preceding cutscene.
Again not having any legs, the monster has arms of differing strengths and developments. Whether this is the result of his early birth, or a key fault in Natla's engineering of the Atlantean genetics, is not known. His right hand is similar to a human or a primate hand, as he can grab onto the lip of the platform when Lara tricks him into falling over the edge. His left hand (the less developed one) has only two brittle fingers.
The creature's shoulder and chest are grotesquely muscled, but his torso ends in a flabby stomach pouch that is transparent. His skull can clearly be seen with only minimal muscle additions around his eyes and mouth. His vertebrae also appear in nubs of bone along his back.
Interpretation
It is unclear whether the monster was supposed to be some kind of general or sub-commander of the Atlantean army - but it is more likely that he was designed to fulfill a purpose like that of a modern tank or heavy artillery.
