Epilogue Renaldine

The battle raged. Renaldine was torn on what to focus. The portal split the realms. We were fighting in the Badlands and Trevor was in Hell almost dead. Making the decision, I jumped trough the portal. I could not allow the Shaman casting at the barbarians from a distance. I knew my healing couldn't keep up with that level of harm. I was already injured, but the barbarians took the focus off me. This was my break
 
I jumped the portal and started to focus my attacks on the Shaman. I was hoping to draw fire away from my front line. Trevor was invisible, and according to his call out, near death. Rory summoned a wolf which was picking away at the Shaman. It took time but I was able to damage and move in on him. I had to cast positive energy spells at him. These spells take their toll on me. They harm me. I believe my second life was granted through negative energy, thus positive energy hurts. Old wounds reappear, cuts, lacerations, bruises. The more energy, the greater the revelations of what killed me.
 
Sornafein was through the portal next. This turned the tide. The front line followed and brought the battle to hell. The Shaman seemed pleased about this, I wonder why. Mazira was looking rough. If I pull attention from the Shaman to help Mazira, the whole party may die. Then I remembered something. My healing powers were under powered, unless the target is down. Mazira was about to fall. I had 3 spells left. If I cast them, they would do little, But!!!! If Mazira went down, my connection to the grave would charge the heal. It would also harm me greater.
 
the Shaman cast at me, Heal me if you want to get out of here, was his suggestion. It pervaded my mind, clouded me. I felt compelled to heal my enemy. Wisdom overcame magic. When I was able, I did heal him. However, the compelling did not define what heal. I used my lowest spell. As I began to cast, the Shamans began smirking.... Heal was healed, however, as usual, it was very little. I wiped the smirk off his face with a followup of my mace. His head snapped right and then he turned and growled. At that moment, Trevor fell right next to me. His attempt to steal the ring off the Shaman failed. The ring! That's it, that is the portal device! Trevor was intelligent, even if not nimble enough.
 
Sornafein took this moment to light up the Shaman like a torch. His head bursting in flame, then his body. As he fell, a devil lie before us. Now all made sense. This was the missing piece of the puzzle. Reaching down, I grabbed the ring, then I turned to Trevor, charging a large heal into his body, Trevor has life again, but the cost nearly brought me to my knees.
 
There were still 3 orcs left. 1 was asleep, however, the other two were still a problem. The farthest one from me took off with Sornafein after him. The other, was still in combat. During my focus on the Devil, Gold was struck to a moment of death. He disengaged to me for heals.
 
Renaldine, I need healing.
 
I called back, I have 1 heal left and I need to hold on to it in case someone falls. I began sprinting to support Mazira. Half was they, Mazira fell.
 
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
 
Charging in between the Orc and Mazira, to shield her from the orc.
 
It was he and I and his first attack on me was devastating. His backhand ax deflected off the side of my shield, catching me on the right side of my chest, underneath the banded armor. The blow dropped me to my knee as I tried to catch my breath. Death was near to me again. I was weak, bleary, no strength left. At that moment the final blow came. A tail swung over my head hitting the orc in his chest. The power was palpable. The orc was lifted off his feat and knocked backwards into the lava. His screams were short lived.
 
I was on deaths door again, but Mazira was unconscious. Using my last heal, I cradled Mazira, placing my hand on her, the positive energy flowed into her, like it did Trevor. A would in my chest opened at this point, burns on my skin appeared, my hair falling out. Mazira looked up at me, seeing my disheveled body, her first thought was of me. It was at this moment I realized how much I loved her, how much I loved all of them. All I could do was smirk and shake my head no.
 
Trevor spoke up, We Must Leave NOW! Sornafein called to me. Renaldine, give me the ring. In moments of time I held the ring, I could feel the evil from it, I could feel the curse. It called to me to put it on. But I knew, wearing this ring was a one way trip. If I gave it to Sornafein, not only would he be cursed, but as long as he was with the party, the party would be cursed. My breathing was short. I knew what I had to do. I put the right on. It spoke to me,
 
Welcome foolish mortal. You are mine now.
 
The magic granted me knowledge of its use. I pointed my hand at the symbol on the floor. Thumb down, 4 fingers up. I turned my hand as if I was turning a door knob. Great emanations circled my hand as the portal re-opened.
 
 
 
Trevor called out, Now, we must go before our window closes. Mazira helped me up as the party ran through. I waited, last to go. As I stepped back on our plane, I tried to remove the ring to throw into the lava. Laughter rang out in my head
 
BWAHAHAHAHHA, You cannot remove that now, YOU ARE MINE, AND I SHALL HAVE THEM ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
This was it, this was my redemption. I finally understood why I was brought back. I had to redeem myself from a previous life of evil. This one act, this one selfless sacrifice, would bring my peace. It was a price I had to choose willingly.
 
Renaldine turned to the party. Taking only a moment to look at all she cared about, all whom she loved. Tears welled up in her eyes. First, she mouthed
 
I love you all.
 
Looking at Mazira she whispered, you most of all sister.
 
then, in typical Renaldine fashion she yelled
 
RUN YOU FOOLS!
 
With a jerk, and all the energy she had left, Renaldine ran back through the portal, diving into the burning lava. Death was immediate, as the lava created her withered remains.