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Cries of the slained Undead echoed within the corridors beneath the Graveyard District of Athkhala. Jaheira and Minsc made quick work of the Vampires that haunted these underground crypts. Rena, Kelsey, Imoen and Mazzy kept a distance behind, lacking the Negative Plane Protection that Jaheira and Minsc had. There were allies too, from the Shadow Thieves and Drizzt. Teamed up together, the Vampires were helpless before their onslaught. It was only a matter of time before they reached Bodhi's final lair.
"At last!", Jaheira said, "Now is the moment we put an end to Bodhi's machinations and restore Imoen's soul! Rena, quickly! Lay down your traps here before I go in and-"
"No."
"Rena... not again. We have been through this many times already. Honestly, I-"
"No, Jaheira. Not this time. No more running away, running around. Not for this one."
"Re-"
"I AM SICK AND TIRED OF BEING THE PITIED ONE! I REFUSE to be the victim here! No more. I am NOT going to be on the defensive here. I... I'm going to be the attacker this time."
"That is sheer LUNACY!", Jaheira retorted, "You are but a Rogue! A trained Assassin no doubt, but a Rogue still! Please, Rena. I sympathise with your situation, but this is no time to be foolhardy! Imoen's soul is at stake here!"
"Do you really have so little faith in my abilities?"
"RENA!", Jaheira shouted, not caring if the enemy could hear them, "This is no time for games! This is life-or-death for Imoen!"
Rena did not reply to Jaheira. Instead, she walked over to a bewildered Imoen and clasped her hands around one of Imoen's and held it to her heart.
"Imoen, will you trust me on this one?"
"Imoen! Do not be swayed by her! She is not in the right mind!"
"Rena... I... I'm not sure what to say."
"Just say what you feel."
"I... I'm sorry, Jaheira."
"You're both stark raving mad! Mazzy! Please! Speak some sense into them!"
Mazzy was uncertain on what to say. Unlike Imoen and Jaheira, she did not have a long history with Rena, and although they had shared some of the best moments in her life, she was still a stranger to their group.
After a pause, Mazzy steadied herself and said, "I was alone in the Temple Ruins before your group came to rescue me, and back then, I thought to myself that no matter what the cost, I would battle the Shade Lord to the end. Even at the cost of my own life. This battle... seems important to Rena. Important enough that she would willingly risk her life to do it. I cannot deny her, just as I would not have anyone deny me."
Jaheira slumped forward, her shoulders weary from her perceived collective stupidity of the people around her. From a corner of her eyes, she looked at the men with them. Minsc, Kelsey, Arkanis, and Drizzt.
Raising their hands in surrender, they said in unison, "No comments!"
"So... Rena. Assuming I lobotomise myself and agree to your desire. Do you have a plan? An actual plan?"
Rena smiled, a smile of a murderer.
~~~~ ~~~~
To be continued...
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